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October 11, 2017

An Open Letter To Educators & Students of Pennsylvania’s Hardwood Forests

We are pleased to provide these links to educational materials about our hardwood forests and the lumber and wood products they make possible.

This information is provided by various sources and hopefully will allow students to develop an accurate, informed view of forests in Pennsylvania and nationwide, in particular regarding these key points:

HISTORY: Pennsylvania's hardwood forests are part of every Pennsylvanian's heritage.

Pennsylvania’s forests provided building materials for the building of our nation and were vital to the development of the Commonwealth. While improper harvesting was devastating in centuries past, modern sustainable forestry provides a better way.

SCIENCE: Proper management is science-based and sustainable.

A scientific understanding of nature and bio–sciences is the basis of proper forest management in Pennsylvania, which gives us the healthy forests we have today covering half the state. Science ensures that Pennsylvania forests remain a spectacular renewable natural resource that sequesters carbon and provides recreation, wood products and jobs.

CAREER PATHS: The forest products industry offers a variety of career paths.

The wood products industry is a driving force in Pennsylvania’s economy and a significant source of a wide range of jobs, requiring a broad range of education. The modern wood products industry is dynamic, forward-looking, technology intensive, and welcomes young people with new ideas and a passion to protect healthy forests while using the resource for the general good.

FUTURE: Proper use and management of the forests depends on educated citizens of all ages.

The forests are complex natural bio–systems affecting the environment and wildlife. They require knowledgeable decision-making from landowners, policy-makers and the community at large. Today’s students will likely find themselves in one or more of those roles sometime in their lives.The Keystone Wood Products Association appreciates everything you as educators or students are doing to create an informed, knowledgeable citizenry that is able to make nuanced decisions about the use of natural resources and public policy.

Understanding the facts about our healthy forests, the science of proper management, and career opportunities in the wood industry will benefit our forests, state and society for generations to come.

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