A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of     South Wood County

Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News September 1, 2005 - Trees Can Make A Difference By: Carol Davis, for Daily Tribune Editor’s note: The Daily Tribune will regularly run columns updating Community Progress Initiative activities in local communities. In June, 900 white spruce seedlings found new homes with help from the Paper/Forestry Product Cluster. Group members handed out free trees at the Wisconsin Rapids Grand River Fest and Lunch by the River. As the future foresters took a tree, cluster group members joked, “Remember when you plant it, the green side goes up!” But we also told many people, “We want you to bring this tree back in 40 years.” Sometimes we got a surprised look in return, but our message was clear. Trees are a crucial part of our local economy. And they are a renewable resource. Their bounty extends to thousands of things we touch every day. It’s evident in obvious examples such as the paper and core-board made at the mills in Biron, Port Edwards, Nekoosa and Wisconsin Rapids. It’s also in the forest and building products created and sold in the saw mills and lumberyards of central Wisconsin. One of the goals of the Paper/Forestry Product Cluster is to increase awareness of paper and forest products locally and emphasize the positive impact of the industry upon this community. Part of the education means understanding that it’s OK to cut down a tree. I was once in a classroom with a forester who asked a room full of second graders, “When is it OK to cut down a tree?” “Never!” was the emphatic response. He then used the opportunity to talk about how forests can be thinned, much like you thin a vegetable garden. The message of forest sustainability is critical. Members of the Paper/Forestry Product Cluster understand how important it is to harvest trees with as little impact on our environment as possible. Trees are a renewable resource. And healthy, abundant forests are essential to our future. Today more trees are planted and more wood is grown in Wisconsin annually than the combined volume that is harvested or lost to natural disasters such as wild fire, wind, ice storms, disease and insects. As the Paper/Forestry Cluster works to increase local business opportunities, we also recognize the need to build awareness and appreciation for trees and for the wonderful resources they provide. And, if you got a spruce seedling from our group this summer, take good care of it. Water it. Nurture it. We may ask for it back someday! Carol Davis is a member of the Community Progress Initiative’s Paper/Forestry Product Cluster. She is Director of Employee Communications at Stora Enso North America.
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