NEW MEXICO – This is National Forest Products Week, a time to recognize the many products that come from our forests, the people who work in and manage our forest, the businesses that make the products and how each of these components contribute to our lives.

 

As your regional forest product appraisal specialist and wood innovations coordinator, I would like to recognize the important role our agency plays in the connections made through supplying renewable and sustainable wood in local communities to create their marketable products.

Forest Products Week is especially important to me because I grew up in a community in New Mexico that was surrounded by national forest land with a history of providing timber that supplied the lifeblood of the community. The sawmill and the production of forest products resulted in a thriving community. Years without an industry to process timber, was later changed as the conditions of the forest became poor with the increase of unprecedented wildfires.

I witnessed firsthand how a partnership with the Forest Service contributed to the economic growth of a small community through the building of a new sawmill in the early 2000’s. Through a collaborated effort with partners, dedicated forest personnel and the availability of grant funding, this new sawmill revitalized the community and provided an outlet for products created because of restoration efforts.

Much of the resiliency of forest products industry can be attributed to the dedication of our partners who take pride in the management of our forests – with the additional support of programs such as Collaborative Forest Restoration Project, Wood Innovations grant programs, stewardship contracting and a collective effort to work to complete much needed restoration work throughout the region with the assistance of the forest product industry. Efforts are ongoing across the region to prepare sales which meet the needs of industry while they navigate product classification and utilization through modernizing technology to support the treatment of small diameter trees.

On Tuesday, Oct. 19, the Forest Service announced the 2021 Community Wood Energy grant program and Wood Innovation grant program as part of National Forest Products Week. Grant opportunities will be available for proposals which impact wood products and wood energy markets. The grants will serve as a catalyst to increase the sustainable use of forest products while promoting innovation and bolstering local economies.

As a forester, it’s an honor to work with partners and employees whose work contributes to the revitalization of rural communities and economy. Continue your focused efforts and promotion of forest products and be proud to be an integral part of managing the nation’s forests.  You can find more information about the program and projects across the nation on the National Forest Service, Science and Technology website.