There are 17 million acres of forests in Wisconsin, much of it here in the north. The state has proclaimed this week as Forest Products Week in Wisconsin. Wisconsin's forest products industry generates $24.1 billion annually to the state's economy and provides 60,000 jobs. Forestry is the number one employer in 10 Wisconsin counties,with 1,200 forest products companies
. Forest Products Team Leader with the DNR, Collin Buntrock, says those numbers are a baseline for an industry that is provides core economic activity..
"...Sustainable forestry is key to maintaining Wisconsin's economy. Not only do forests provide us with many products that we use in everyday life. They are important for recreation, wildlife habitat,and providing jobs for us here in the economy...."
Buntrock notes the forest products sector provides 14 percent of all manufacturing jobs in the state. Forest Products Week also salutes the people who care for the 17.1 million acres of forests in Wisconsin.
Buntrock says his team of forest products specialists help Wisconsin's forest industry build and maintain strong markets while ensuring that forests remain a vital part of the state's economy.
