Industry Voices

What is Biodiversity?

SManger — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 15:30:01 +0000

What is Biodiversity?

SManger Wed, 11/20/2024 - 10:30

Registered Foresters from Across the U.S. Explain the Importance of Biodiversity

Key Takeaways

This is part 3 of our forest management series. Explore part 1, “What is Sustainable Forestry” and part 2, “What Are Forest Management Practices?” Sustainable forestry and forest management practices work together to maintain biodiversity.

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity in a forest is more than how many different species of animals live there. It also includes the soil, bugs, trees, flowers, fish, fungi like mushrooms and more.

Different species need different conditions to survive such as:

Temperature
Shelter
Food and water sources

The different structures of managed forests offer diverse habitats for wildlife and plant species.

The Foresters Take:

Neal Carson, Timber and Forestry Manager, Packaging Corporation of America in Tennessee

"Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms within an ecosystem, including the diversity of species, genetic diversity within species, and diversity of ecosystems themselves.

It encompasses the wide range of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms that inhabit Earth, as well as the interactions between them and their environments.”

Cierra L.S. Ward, Forestry Manager, Resource Management Services in North Carolina

"Biodiversity means having multiple species of healthy plants and animals present across the landscape.”

What’s an Example of Biodiversity in a Forest?

Managed forests are often in different stages of the tree life cycle. The differences can include:

Tree age
Tree height
Tree species

These differences contribute to biodiversity. This means differences in the animals, plants and stand structure. The location of a forest also affects biodiversity. Just like growing a garden in the Pacific Northwest is different than growing a garden in the Southeast U.S.

The Foresters Take:

Cierra L.S. Ward

"For example, in the south, a young managed forest where the pine trees have not yet grown very tall provides the perfect environment for blackberries, goldenrod, and thistles to thrive. Those plants support multiple songbirds, pollinators, wild turkey, black bear, and deer.

The rotting woody vegetation from the previous forest stand provides habitat for reptiles and amphibians, as well as decomposers like worms, ants, and mushrooms.

In an older managed forest, where the pine trees are very tall and the forest floor is shaded, many grasses grow. This provides excellent forage for deer and quail as well as nesting habitat for turkeys and hunting opportunities for animals such as raccoons, possums, and foxes.”

Why is Biodiversity Important?

Biodiversity is crucial for a healthy ecosystem. Each species has a job they perform to maintain the balance of the ecosystem. Different species work together to maintain the conditions necessary for their collective survival.

Let’s take pollinators for example. Flowering plants and wildflowers are a food source for many pollinator species, like bees and birds.

These animals help transfer pollen across the forest every time they eat. This helps the plants reproduce and maintains a healthy ecosystem.

The plants also attract other insects that are a food source for birds and other animals. All of this helps with reforestation and biodiversity.

Maintaining biodiversity ensures forests can provide us with our essential products and provide species with their vital resources.

The Foresters Take:

Neal Carson

"Biodiversity is essential for ecosystem stability, resilience, and functionality, as it supports ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling, pollination, pest control, and climate regulation. Protecting biodiversity is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and ensuring the well-being of both human societies and the planet.”

How Does Forest Management Help Maintain Biodiversity?

Forest management plays a large role in maintaining biodiversity. Foresters help maintain and create habitats for wildlife and plant species. They do this through using responsible forest management practices.

Some practices that help maintain biodiversity include:

Reforestation and replanting
Wildlife habitat creation and enhancement
Managing for water quality
Selective harvest
Disease and pest management
Fertilizing the soil
Controlled burns, also called a prescribed fire
Monitoring and research

The Foresters Take:

Carolyn Mulligan, District Manager, American Forest Management in Virginia

"Sustainable forest management means we manage our forests in a way to ensure those forests can provide the planet with life essential things like clean air and water, beautiful landscapes, diversity of species and the forest products that enhance our lives and provide us comfort.”

Cierra L.S. Ward

"Managed forests benefit wildlife in many ways. When managing forests, we often create openings that edge-loving species utilize to hunt for food or prey or use as travel corridors... We often leave mast-producing trees and shrubs, like oaks and blackberries, that provide excellent food for wildlife.”

Neal Carson

"Yes, managed forests can benefit wildlife in several ways. These may include habitat diversification, food and shelter enhancement, increased conservation efforts, and by allowing better monitoring and research.”

Interested in Learning More About Sustainable Forestry?

Want to learn more about sustainable forest management in the U.S.? You can:

Learn about International Paper’s work to enhance bird habitats in working forests.
Take a virtual forest tour to see how managed forests operate with Georgia-Pacific.
Contact your state’s forestry association or Department of Forestry.
Learn about the Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project

Update in Brief

Sustainable Forestry

Marketplace Sustainability

Industry Voices

What Are Forest Management Practices?

SManger — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 14:37:05 +0000

What Are Forest Management Practices?

SManger Tue, 10/08/2024 - 10:37

Registered Foresters from Across the U.S. Explain Sustainable Forest Management

Key Takeaways

This is part 2 of our forest management series. Explore part 1, “What is Sustainable Forestry” and part 3, "What is Biodiversity?" Foresters work closely with landowners to help manage their forests. Management practices help maintain a forest’s long-term health and growth.

Sustainable forestry means caring for and managing forests to ensure we have them now and for generations to come.

Foresters work closely with landowners to help manage their land for the long term. They use science, the best available technology and information to develop management plans.

Why is Forest Management Important?

Sustainable forest management helps maintain the health, biodiversity, productivity and longevity of a forest.

When developing management plans, foresters pay close attention to:

Tree health
Water quality
Wildlife habitats
Preventing wildfires
Managing pests and disease

Foresters also work with landowners to identify and protect cultural and historic resources. These include things like historic artifacts or buildings and burial sites.

Sustainable forest management is important because it helps ensure there is balance in the ecosystem.

Download Foresters Help Manage Graphic

The Foresters Take:

Neal Carson, Timber and Forestry Manager, Packaging Corporation of America in Tennessee

"Sustainable forestry aims to maintain the long-term health and productivity of forests without depleting their resources."

Carolyn Mulligan, District Manager, American Forest Management in Virginia

"Sustainable forest management means we manage our forests in a way to ensure those forests can provide the planet with life’s essential things. Things like clean air and water, beautiful landscapes and diversity of species. Also the forest products that enhance our lives and provide us comfort."

Cierra L.S. Ward, Forestry Manager, Resource Management Services in North Carolina

"Sustainable forestry ensures that the cycle keeps happening again and again while protecting water quality, wildlife habitat, and the beauty of the forest."

What Are Examples of Sustainable Forest Management Practices?

Download 1 Billion Trees Planted Graphic

Foresters and scientists use a variety of tactics to manage a forest. These practices help maintain a forest’s health and growth. They’re also one of the best ways to ensure the longevity of a forest.

Our expert foresters said forest management practices include:

Reforestation and replanting
Wildlife habitat creation and enhancement
Managing for water quality
Selective harvest
Thinning
Disease and pest management
Fertilizing the soil
Controlled burns, also called a prescribed fire

These practices have been used and refined over time to help maintain forest ecosystems.

On managed forests, trees are replanted to continue the cycle of growing. More than 1 billion seedlings are planted every year in the U.S. The majority of those are planted on managed forests.

The Foresters Take:

Neal Carson

"It includes measures like selective harvesting, where only mature trees are removed, leaving younger trees to grow and replenish the forest. Also reforestation efforts to replant trees in areas that have been harvested."

John F. McAlpine, President, Kingwood Forestry Services in Arkansas

"We are mimicking what mother nature does."

Carolyn Mulligan

"When replanting a site, foresters look at the characteristics of the land and soil. This is to determine the proper tree species, planting method and spacing to assure the greatest successes for survival and growth. Buffers are left along waterways to protect water quality."

Cierra L.S. Ward

"Sustainable forestry limits the number of acres that can be harvested. It also establishes guidelines and best practices for how to build forest roads, cross creeks, apply fertilizers and chemicals, and enhance wildlife habitat."

Why is it Okay to Remove Trees From a Forest?

Foresters manage forests like you might manage a garden. Like weeding a garden, foresters do selective cuts or “thinnings” that remove dead, diseased, or otherwise troubled trees.

They also pull out underbrush that could catch fire to help prevent forest fires. This gives healthier trees the space and resources they need to thrive.

There are many reasons why trees are removed from forests, including:

There’s not enough room for all the trees to grow.
To provide a habitat for wildlife.
To prevent forest fires.
When more light needs to reach the forest floor.
The trees are sick. They can get infected with diseases and insects, which can spread.
A forester prescribed it for the long-term planning and health of a forest.

The Foresters Take:

Neal Carson

"Tree removal requires careful consideration to ensure that it is done sustainably and with minimal impact to the forest ecosystem."

John F. McAlpine

"Forest management reduces overstocking and improves tree health to be more resilient."

Carolyn Mulligan

"Sometimes trees grow too densely and compete with each other for water, light and nutrients. In cases like this, it is best to remove some of them."

Cierra L.S. Ward

"We remove trees at a thinning to open up the canopy, allowing more space, sunlight, water, and nutrients to be concentrated to the best trees."

Interested in Learning More About Sustainable Forestry?

Want to learn more about sustainable forest management in the U.S.? You can:

Contact your state’s forestry association or Department of Forestry.
Learn about the Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project
Learn about International Paper’s work to enhance bird habitats in working forests.

Update in Brief

Sustainable Forestry

Marketplace Sustainability

Industry Voices

What is Sustainable Forestry?

SManger — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 17:18:07 +0000

What is Sustainable Forestry?

SManger Thu, 09/19/2024 - 13:18

Registered Foresters from Across the U.S. Explain Sustainable Forest Management

Key Takeaways

Sustainable forestry means caring for and managing forests so we have them now and in the future. Foresters work closely with landowners to manage their land and replant trees. This is the first blog in our forest management series. View part 2, "What are Forest Management Practices?" and part 3, "What is Biodiversity?"

In this blog series, we interviewed registered foresters about sustainable forestry practices.

You’ll hear from these registered foresters:

Neal Carson, Timber and Forestry Manager, Packaging Corporation of America in Tennessee
John F. McAlpine, President, Kingwood Forestry Services in Arkansas
Carolyn Mulligan, District Manager, American Forest Management in Virginia
Cierra L.S. Ward, Forestry Manager, Resource Management Services in North Carolina

In this series, we’ll explore:

The meaning of sustainable forestry
Sustainable forest management techniques and best practices
The connection between forest management and biodiversity

What is Sustainable Forestry?

Sustainability means something is sustained or managed over time so the resource isn’t depleted.

When applied to forests, sustainable forestry means caring for and managing forests so we have them now and in the future.

The Foresters Take:

Neal Carson

"Sustainable forestry involves the management of today’s forests to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future."

John F. McAlpine

"Sustainable forestry ensures that the forest is healthy for future generations. And it provides all the other benefits from the forest such as clean water, clean air, and habitat for all."

Cierra L.S. Ward

"Sustainable forestry means trees today, trees tomorrow, trees forever."

What is a Managed Forest?

In the U.S., many work together to carefully manage forests so they are healthy for years to come. This includes landowners, foresters, engineers and scientists. These forests are managed or working forests.

When it comes to managed forests, landowners and foresters think long term. They work together to plant and replant generations of trees and healthy forests.

The Foresters Take:

Neal Carson

"All activities within the managed forest are done to help maintain the health and productivity of the managed forest ecosystem."

Carolyn Mulligan

"A well-managed forest is a healthy forest. It’s a forest that has benefitted from the expertise of people skilled in making good management decisions based on the goals of the landowner."

Cierra L.S. Ward

"Foresters make plans to replant areas that are harvested well ahead of the first tree being cut down."

Interested in Learning More About Sustainable Forestry?

Want to learn more about sustainable forest management in the U.S.? You can:

Take a virtual forest tour to see how managed forests operate with Georgia-Pacific.
Learn about International Paper’s work to enhance bird habitats in working forests.
Watch “Diary of a Working Forest: Replanting” by Washington’s Working Forests.
Learn about your state’s Forest Action Plan.
Contact your state’s forestry association or Department of Forestry.

Update in Brief

Marketplace Sustainability

Industry Voices

Sustainable Forestry

Sustainability

Turning a New Leaf in the Paper Industry: Summer Internships

Astolt — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 14:00:27 +0000

Turning a New Leaf in the Paper Industry: Summer Internships

Astolt Thu, 07/25/2024 - 10:00

AF&PA Summer Interns Share Their Learnings from Their Internship

AF&PA is excited to introduce our 2024 summer interns!

Mary Stafford – Strategic Communications Intern
Anabella “Bella” Zoslow – Strategic Communications & Events Intern
Akhil Krishnan – Industry Affairs Intern

This summer, Mary, Bella, and Akhil had the opportunity to learn first-hand about the forest products industry. They discovered how different policies shape the industry, how AF&PA advocates on behalf of our members and why the forest products industry is so important to our everyday lives.

Before they head back to college, let’s get to know them a bit better!

What Interests You About the Paper and Wood Products Industry?

“Since starting my internship at AF&PA, I’ve been thinking about paper products a lot more than I ever have in the past. Paper and wood products are so present in our everyday lives, yet it’s not often the typical person spares them a second thought. Learning how these products are manufactured and make it to our homes has been illuminating in a whole new way.” -- Mary Stafford, University of South Carolina ‘24

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Industry Voices

What is Biodiversity?

Key Takeaways

The Foresters Take:

The Foresters Take:

The Foresters Take:

The Foresters Take:

What Are Forest Management Practices?

Key Takeaways

The Foresters Take:

The Foresters Take:

The Foresters Take:

What is Sustainable Forestry?

Key Takeaways

The Foresters Take:

The Foresters Take:

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