A Northwoods forester is known internationally for his work in South America and is a founding member of the Forest Stewardship Council, which certifies forests as well-managed.
Robert Simeone of Land O' Lakes has worked for more than 40 years to sustain forests.
In the second of a two part interview, Simeone talks about Northwoods sustainable forestry, with one of the world's finest examples of sustainable woodlands located in this region...
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An internationally-known forester from Land O' Lakes says a prime example of sustainable forestry anywhere is located here in northern Wisconsin.
Robert Simeone has been working internationally and here for more than 40 years to promote sustainable forests. He is one of six persons who founded the Forest Stewardship Council which promotes environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests.
Simeone says Menominee county, Wisconsin has been a model for centuries. The forest on the native land was never clear cut during the late 1800's and with selective logging and reforestation has a hard-working forest...
"It's one of the hardest working forests in the region. They cut about 20 million board feet off that forest every year. They have the largest sawmill in the state. 10 townships, about 265,000 acres. If we multiplied by 100, that would give us the northern Wisconsin landscape..."
He says the woods could be the major economic driver in this region...
"We are forest dwellers, we live in a forest region. Forest industries should be the principal use. It should be the principal economic activity of the region. You could employ thousands and thousands of people and generate huge amounts of revenue if we just allowed the forests to come back..."
Robert Simeone is President of Sylvania Forestry LLC in Land O' Lakes.
