From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services:
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, are celebrating the benefits of Florida’s more than 17 million acres of forests during Florida’s first ever Working Forests Week, which runs from Oct. 18 through Oct. 24.
“It’s important to recognize and celebrate Florida’s working forests, which provide an important natural resource that is useful, renewable and sustainable. The Florida forest industry’s $16.3 billion economic impact supports more than 80,000 jobs, all while promoting healthy populations of native forest plants and animals,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
Florida’s 17.3 million forest acres provide more than 5,000 types of consumer goods that most people use on a daily basis. Some are easily recognized, like paper goods and lumber, while others are not. By the time forest products reach consumers, they are transformed into products, such as cosmetics, medicines and fabrics.
“Florida’s working forests are carefully and professionally managed to provide timber products while sustaining and protecting renewable forest resources for future generations,” said Jim Karels, Florida State Forester. “To maintain a sustainable supply of forest products in our state, more than 70 million trees are planted in Florida each year.”
Florida’s Working Forests Week was developed in partnership with the Florida Forestry Association and will be held each year alongside National Forest Products Week. To find a Working Forests Week workshop or event near you, visit the forestry events calendar.
The Florida Forest Service manages more than one million acres of public forest land while protecting 26 million acres of homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire. To learn more about Florida Forest Service programs, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.