Scott Sours operates one of the machines at the Ottawa Forest Products sawmill in Amasa. The former Pine River Hardwoods mill, which Ottawa Forest Products of Ironwood purchased in late 2012, produces about 8 million board feet of hardwood lumber a year, a company official said. To read more about the Amasa mill, go to page 20.
By BILL COOK Michigan Forest Pathways
Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that most people will agree that wood is a sustainable and renewable resource; and has a small footprint measured against carbon emissions, energy use, and produces a variety of environmental benefits. Okay.
To use wood, or any other resource, an inventory can start the process and add to decision-making. So, how much wood does Michigan have? A lot! However, let’s also state at the outset that there isn’t enough wood to solve all our problems, and just because it’s there doesn’t mean it might enter the market. Yet, it’s a good material, better than anything else. We should use it when we can.
Trees and forests have been counted and measured for more than 75 years. Michigan has thousands of inventory plots, not as many as we should (legislative decision), as in Wisconsin, but enough to make statewide conditions reasonably clear.
Total Michigan forest volume is called “standing timber.” The changes in volume are due to growth, natural mortality, and harvesting. Volume has been accumulating for decades. As a side note, forest area remains on the increase, meaning there is no “net” deforestation, an important tidbit to remember. Also note, that there are different definitions for related terms, so that database searches might be more meaningful for a variety of users.
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One of the upshots of looking at statewide conditions is that we lose more wood volume to natural mortality than we harvest, although that is not uniform
across the state.
Natural mortality claims more than a half-million logging trucks worth of wood each year. That suggests that a portion of that mortality might be put to better use, for heating and cooling, for example. Anytime we can displace fossil fuel consumption, we win. Keeping forests younger and more vigorous helps with the carbon picture.
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The volume of trees dying from natural causes has been creeping upward over the decades, so has volume lost in live trees from diseases, which is what an ecologist would expect from an aging forest, which is what we have. Simply looking at the inventory, and then utilizing just half the current mortality volume (before it dies), Michigan could sustainably float another three monster wood mills, or a wide host of smaller ones.
Some might argue that a large mill has certain efficiencies, an economy of scale, more eggs in one basket, perhaps easier to
regulate. Wood must be delivered from a “woodshed” more than a hundred miles across, and fewer raw wood products would likely meet mill requirements. Big mills are good things.
On the other hand, many smaller mills may be more economically stable and are more diverse in the blend of raw wood feedstocks. A balance of markets means a broader variety of raw wood products can be sold, which in turn, means a better prospect for improving forest management and maintaining forest health. In terms of wood for advanced heating and cooling systems (biomass thermal
energy), local facilities make far more sense, and keep dollars local. The demand is steady, as winter comes every year. So does summer cooling, prompting many applications. Additionally, wood prices tend to be more stable than fossil fuel prices and are not impacted by world events. And, wood is uniquely renewable.
Looking to the future, wood holds immense promise in what can be produced, especially capturing wood carbon and producing chemicals. One of the nice things about wood carbon is that it’s part of the natural carbon cycle, unlike fossil carbon. The list of useful products
is currently amazing, over 5000 things. That number could jump dramatically if some of the potential uses could be commercialized.
Imagine if plastic bottles were made of wood rather than petroleum? Or, if comfy clothing from wood replaced that of cotton and petroleum? Engineered wood has become a reality and will likely replace much of the steel and concrete materials. The potential goes on.
When we think of renewable wood products and the future, it all starts in the forest, with an
inventory, with good management, and good harvesting practices, both of which are world-class in the Lake States. Our Michigan inventory, which is similar across the region, shows that we have some wiggle-room for utilization expansion. But before we get too excited, having the inventory doesn’t mean owners will sell it, or that it is otherwise available.
Nearly half of Michigan’s forest, both volume and area, is owned by families and other non-corporate interests, over 180,000 parcels of at least
ten acres. And then, there are certain public forests where harvest is prohibited or at least discouraged or, perhaps, under-harvested. As it turns out, wood use is at least as much a social decision as a financial and environmental decision. Wood is good. But not everyone agrees. Bill Cook is a retired Michigan State University Extension forester and wildlife biologist. Though retired, his passion to share forestry and wildlife information continues. He can be reached at cookwi@ msu.edu.
Charley Macintosh Nahma ............906-250-0757
Tim Nicklaus Marinette ....................715-493-4740
Cory Howes Marquette ....................906-236-4605
Blake Persha Tigerton .....................715-321-4269
Andy Roelse Birnamwood ...............920-946-6140
Jake Delvaux Escanaba ..................715-490-4441
Erik Rantala Antigo ..........................715-216-4837
PELKIE — Green Timber Consulting Foresters Inc. and Grossman Forestry Company Inc. have announced the merger of the two companies.
Justin Miller, president of Green Timber, and Gerald Grossman, president of Grossman Forestry, have signed a memorandum of
understanding to combine their two companies via the sale of Grossman Forestry to Green Timber with an anticipated closing date of Jan. 1.
Grossman Forestry has been serving landowners in the eastern Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula since 1991, while Green Timber has been
tending to forests of the western Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin since 2001. Together, the two companies will manage over 550,000 acres in the Upper Peninsula, northern Wisconsin and northern Lower Peninsula. The collective staff of 17 professional foresters has over
200 years of experience in forest management, timber harvest administration, GIS, forest inventory, forest modeling and analysis, and certification auditing.
“We are excited to join forces with the staff at Grossman Forestry. The combination of our two teams will bring clients
expanded expertise and opportunities through a broader network of land management services while offering efficiencies with offices spread across the Upper Peninsula,” Miller said.
Existing clients at both companies will maintain their current account managers with the added benefit
of the expanded capacity and expertise the partner company offers.
“As a group, we will continue to meet and exceed the goals and objectives of each client while growing our knowledge base with expanded forest management opportunities,” Grossman said.
more than 2 million indirect jobs are supported.
Just as you own your business and reap the rewards of your hard work, member-owners benefit from the credit union’s financial growth and success.
CoVantage Offers:
n Better business loan rates
n Lower business fees
n Loan rebate program –Returning $25 million to account holders in the past five years. Forest Fact: Forest products jobs create additional wealth in their communities. While employing about 925,000 in the
n Higher deposit rates
Providing value to the people and businesses –the owners of the credit union –who rely on CoVantage for their financial needs.
R. R. BRANSTROM
Escanaba Daily Press
ESCANABA — Mc -
Coy Construction and Forestry, which has locations in eight states, is in the process of building a new facility in Escanaba, as they’ve outgrown the home they occupy at 1818 N. Lincoln Road.
McCoy is a John Deere dealer specializing in construction, forestry, and compact equipment. They sell new and used products from John Deere and attachments from allied brands such as Esco, Towmaster and Waratah. Rentals and service are also provided onsite. McCoy Construction and Forestry of Escanaba offers preventative maintenance and service of not only their own merchandise but comparable competitive equipment, as well.
John Deere equipment has been housed and sold from the existing location — initially, from the back of the building — since 1977. Through the early ’80s, it was DC Equipment; then Ison Equipment bought the business and ran it from 1986 to 1999.
From the turn of the century to 2018, Nortrax Equipment operated the Lincoln Road facility, and then in June of 2018, McCoy Construction and Forestry — part of McCoy Group headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa — bought the business.
On April 29, the next step for McCoy was taken
with the breaking of ground at 6442 U.S. 2 and 41 and M-35, just a mile and a half down the road, between Upper Peninsula Concrete Pipe Co. and Muffler Man.
“We had a need to expand our facility and make it bigger and better,” said Jeff Carlson, the general manager of McCoy Construction and Forestry of Escanaba.
“The equipment today versus what it was 20, 30 years ago — it’s totally changed. Everything’s gotten a lot bigger.”
The new place will provide all the products and services that the old one does currently — just in a more comfortable space. Carlson said that the new plot, which was purchased from Ken Gartland, is 7 1/2 acres.
“We’re building a tenbay shop. It’s got a full parts department, it’s got a full-service department, wash bays … cold storage facility…” said Carlson.
Heavy equipment has been hard at work at the new site — a contrast to the shiny new machines sitting at the dealership waiting for contractors to give them life. Tasks began with M.J. VanDamme, Inc. from Gwinn doing the dirt work. Completion is targeted for the spring of 2025 or sooner.
Escanaba should soon be looking forward to what Carlson called “a new John Deere state-of-theart facility for sales, parts and service of John Deere products.”
By KATHRYN SOSBE USDA Forest Service
Of the 765 million acres of forests in the U.S., more than half — 443 million acres — is privately owned, of which 288 million acres are owned by private, non-corporate entities such as families. That means more than 10 million private owners control 50% of all forestlands in the U.S.
And all those lands have taxable value. The question then is: Will you be ready for April 15?
The Tax Tips for Forest Landowners is an annual
publication of the Forest Service, led by the Southern Research Station with academic partners at The University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources and the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. There are tax incentives that can be associated with taking care of your land, such as reforestation, sales of wood or loss due to natural disasters. Your taxes depend on many factors, including your forest ownership classification, holding period and the method of selling timber. For
example, some farmers may own forests as a small part of their farming business and receive periodic income from timber sales. Tax rules for timber sales generally apply in these cases. Income tax provisions do not typically treat forestry as part of the farming business, with a few exceptions.
The complexities of some of these issues are why consulting with a tax accountant or tax attorney is recommended. But forest landowners can use Tax Tips as an informational tool to assist with preparing their returns.
Michigan’s timber industry has experienced some good news in 2024 — even with all the market negativity — as three Michigan-owned mills take a risk on expansion. Shamco Inc. in Iron River, Maple Hardwoods north of Hessel and Precision Hardwoods in Onaway, are all growing their operations, demonstrating the resilience and innovation of Michigan Association of Timbermen members.
These expansions not only boost local economies but also highlight how Mich-
igan’s entrepreneurs are making substantial contributions to their communities.
Shamco Inc.
Shamco Inc., based in Iron River, celebrated a major milestone this summer with the expansion of its lumber mill.
Shamco Inc. is a full-service logging, timber harvesting, and trucking company. It was established in 1997 by Jerry Shamion and his sons Todd, Scott, Eric and Ryan. In 2018 the Shamions partnered with Jon Richter, formerly of J&K Lumber, to purchase and incorporate (Continued on 12)
(Continued from 11) an existing sawmill, now known as Shamco Lumber, as a value-added complement to the family business.
Jamie Zmitko-Somers, division director for the Agriculture and Development Division at the Michigan Department of Agriculture Rural Development, said grants are available to help food and agriculture companies around the state expand and grow. “Our food and ag investment fund is a way to continue to grow the food and ag industry to create more jobs and to add more value to products that we are growing and producing here in the state before sending those on,” she said.
Shamco’s $5.5 million mill expansion project, which began in late 2021, has tripled the mill’s output and increased its yield, enabling the production of railroad ties and allowing
for year-round processing of hard maple. This expansion has created opportunities for local loggers to process and sell their wood products to Shamco, further stimulating the regional economy.
The upgraded facility, equipped with an automatic railroad tie stacker and advanced machinery, now processes approximately one log per minute. The expansion has also enhanced the mill’s efficiency, with logs undergoing debarking, scanning, and optimized cutting before being graded and prepared for sale. This modernization has not only improved product quality but has also strengthened Shamco’s role as a key employer in Iron County, providing jobs to 15 local workers.
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During Shamco Lumber’s grand opening event, held in June, community leaders, including MAT board member Brock VanOss, recognized Shamco’s significant contributions to Iron County’s economic development. Iron County Economic Chamber Alliance Director Zach Hautala praised Shamco’s investments in both financial and human resources, noting the company’s positive impact on the local economy.
Shamco Lumber coowner and mill operation director Jon Richter expressed his commitment to making Shamco Lumber a model business in the area.
“This area needs more businesses like ourselves,” Richter said, emphasizing the importance of building strong relationships with local municipalities and reinvesting in the community.
Maple Hardwoods
Sawmill
Maple Hardwoods, a family-owned timber company based in Hessel, celebrated the grand opening of its newly expanded facility on Aug 23. The expansion
took place at a previously vacant 57,000-square-foot building located south of Pickford, marking a significant milestone for the company, which has been a leader in hardwood logs, lumber, and forest management for over five decades.
The project, completed in early 2024, was made possible in part by a $90,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The expansion included the installation of state-of-the-art equipment and the modernization of the sawmill, expected to create around 10 new jobs.
It also involved extensive interior construction, including the build-out of a new sawmill line and office space within the facility.
Andrew Jaroche, vice president of Maple Hardwoods, emphasized the long-term benefits of this investment for both the company’s employees and the surrounding community.
“This investment today is for the betterment of our employees’ livelihoods tomorrow,” Jaroche said.
With this expansion, Maple Hardwoods is well-positioned to continue its legacy
of excellence in timber production while promoting sustainable forest management practices. The increased capacity will allow the company to better meet the growing demand for high-quality hardwood products in Michigan and beyond.
Owners Luke Jaroche and Andrew Jaroche both spoke about the risk, investment, and regional benefit their mill will have, and especially recognized the critical contributions of their nearby county economic development corporation for its overwhelming support for the project. Chippewa County EDC Director Chris Olson worked tirelessly on behalf of Maple Hardwoods to make the expansion a reality.
The grand opening celebration featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by community leaders and partners. The Les Cheneaux Chamber of Commerce expressed its gratitude to Maple Hardwoods for hosting the event, stating on social media, “We are proud that Les Cheneaux and the Eastern Upper Peninsula are your home and so blessed for everything your team does for our community!
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(Continued from 13) Your investment in the community, in your team, and in leading the timber industry is both appreciated and inspiring! Thank you and congratulations, Maple Hardwoods!”
Elected officials at the grand opening included U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, and state Sen. John Damoose, R-Harbor Springs, as well as area mayors and county commissioners.
Damoose stated on social media, “As a longtime leader in the timber industry, the expansion of Maple Hardwoods is a model of economic growth
in our region. Our goal must be to build a vibrant year-round economy that provides serious jobs for our residents and real career opportunities for our kids. Maple Hardwoods is doing just that.” He added, “The new mill combines the best new technology in the industry with a committed and skilled workforce. I have long been a proponent of rebuilding our national manufacturing capabilities, and operations like this are a major part of that strategy. It was an honor to be with the whole team and celebrate yet another success for Maple Hardwoods. I have tremendous respect
for this team, this family, and this entire industry!”
Precision Hardwoods
Precision Hardwoods, a well-established name in the hardwood production industry, is gearing up for a $15 million expansion near Onaway. Set for completion in 2025, this ambitious project is expected to significantly boost the company’s manufacturing capacity and create up to 25 new jobs, supported by a $100,000 grant from MDARD.
Owner Mike Sturgill is also working to secure job creation funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
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The expansion will allow Precision Hardwoods increase its annual production from about 5 million board feet to a remarkable 30 million board feet. This growth will be driven by the installation of advanced machinery and a focus on workforce development, ensuring a steady supply of high-qual-
ity, locally sourced wood products.
MDARD Director Tim
Boring highlighted the importance of this investment in a press release published earlier this summer, noting: “These funds invest in the future of not just Precision Hardwoods, but the future of the Onaway community through additional
employment opportunities and greater demand for sustainable forest products. This investment in Precision Hardwoods highlights our commitment to supporting economic advancement throughout the agricultural sector across Michigan.”
The expansion includes the installation of cutting-edge equipment such as
a Nicholson ring debarker, a HewSaw chip and saw system, and a Pendu stacker and cut stock line. The mill is being constructed on the existing site along M-68, property owned by Precision Hardwoods. Owner
Mike Sturgill purchased the mill in 2013 and had previously added a second head rig in 2015, which doubled the original mill’s production.
With this new expansion, Sturgill expects Precision
Hardwoods to become one of the most efficient industrial hardwood lumber mills in the country, excelling in both manpower and log-to-lumber conversion efficiency.
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Sturgill, who operates his own logging crews, is eager to collaborate with local loggers who might be facing challenges in moving their logs and pulpwood.
As of August, concrete had been poured, and building construction began in early September. The debarker and log system are set to arrive in the coming months, and Sturgill’s goal is for the mill to be fully operational by spring 2025.
Michigan Association of Timbermen work to support member mills with their expansion goals
MAT staff have begun taking a more proactive approach in connecting members with vital economic development incentives and resources. Shamco Inc. and Maple Hardwoods Inc. had already been in contact with organizations such as MDARD as early as 2021, and MAT has been working to increase its facilitation and support for member projects over the past year.
Specifically, the Precision Hardwoods expansion project in Onaway benefited from MAT’s active role in facilitating connections with both MDARD and MEDC. These connections ensured that Precision Hardwoods secured the necessary support and funding to drive owner Mike Sturgill’s plans forward, contributing to the ongoing growth and innovation within Michigan’s timber industry.
Sturgill said, “We’d like to express our thankfulness and gratitude to Justin Knepper and MAT for helping our
small business connect and receive grants from MDARD and MEDC. With these funds our business is able to expand and provide more economic growth to our local community.”
MAT staff have already organized a meeting with state agencies regarding another mill project, which is currently in the planning phase. It is the goal of MAT to continue to support all members with their growth goals.
Executive Director
Knepper stated, “Whether you’re a logger, trucker, mill operator, or equipment/ supplies dealer, our office is able to work with your business to connect you to appropriate individuals, wherever you are located in Michigan. I’m happy to coordinate a meeting between your business and your local economic development contacts, as well as regional and state agencies that may be able to assist you in achieving your growth plans.”
NASHVILLE, Tenn. —
LP Building Solutions, a leading manufacturer of high-performance building products, announced this month that the entirety of its LP SmartSide Trim & Siding product portfolio is now officially designated as carbon negative, reinforcing the product line’s reputation for resilience, performance and environmental responsibility.
In 2023, environmental product declarations for LP SmartSide Trim & Siding, LP SmartSide ExpertFinish Trim & Siding and LP BuilderSeries Lap Siding were developed and subsequently validated by ASTM International. These EPDs confirmed that the products store more carbon than they emit throughout their life cycle, resulting in a carbon-negative designation.
LP’s mill in Sagola is among its Smart Side production facilities.
“Our commitment to innovation has consistently led to the development of products that are sustainable, resilient and efficient to install,” said LP Director of Sustainability and Public Policy Jenni Galiotto. “The wood-based nature of our products, combined with our manufacturing practices, underscores LP’s role in creating sustainable building solutions.”
EPDs offer detailed insights into the environmental impact of a product throughout its entire life cycle—from raw material sourcing to end-of-life. To achieve the carbon-negative status, LP conducted life-cycle assessments and developed EPDs according to internationally recognized standards.
By BETSY BLOOM Managing Editor
AMASA — Pork processors like to claim they use “everything but the squeal,” meaning nothing goes to waste.
The same concept apparently is very much a part of lumber production.
Derik VanEpern, manager/sales at Ottawa Forest Products in Amasa, said they’ve worked hard to diversify and keep up with technology, trying to “get the maximum value out of every single log” they process.
Given the market, they need to be as efficient as possible in what they do, he said.
While he thinks Ottawa Forest Products “can hang our hat on being as good as anybody in the business,” margins can be tight, VanEpern explained. Lumber prices don’t always keep pace with rising costs for raw timber. So any production edge gained can make a difference, he said.
“Either you grow and expand in terms of your technology or you end up dying on the vine.”
VanEpern credits Ottawa Forest Products owner Chuck Baxter with being open to discussing those moves for the future, saying “he’s definitely willing to give things a try.”
“We are not afraid to invest in ourselves,” VanEpern said.
The Connor family established the former Pine River Hardwoods mill in Amasa in 2009. It was still just a sawmill when Ottawa Forest Products, head -
quartered in Ironwood, purchased the property in late 2012.
The Amasa site processes hardwoods: hard maple, soft maple, oak, birch, ash, cherry and some basswood. Everything comes from a 100-mile radius, with the vast majority logged in the Upper Peninsula, VanEpern said. They’ll convert those logs into 8 million board feet of lumber a year, most of it destined to be made into flooring, cabinets, trim and molding.
They installed the five dry kilns in 2016. A wood boiler produces the heat — propane only comes in as a backup if needed because it’s expensive, perhaps $700 a day, he said.
The steam goes through coils that take the kiln from 105 degrees to 150, enough to remove all but about 6% to 8% moisture content when finished. Technology means the temperature can be adjusted remotely from anywhere in the world, VanEpern added.
This step keeps wood, especially flooring, from contracting after being installed, he explained.
Their kilns also produce hard and soft maple that stays “snow white” yearround, VanEpern said. That’s prized for cabinet moldings, leading to sales not only in the U.S. but places such as Europe, China, Japan, Australia and Vietnam, he said.
Again, most is locally sourced. “There’s a lot of great maple trees in the Upper Peninsula,” VanEpern said.
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OTTAWA FOREST PRODUCTS in Amasa started in 2009 as Pine River Hardwoods before being purchased in late 2012. The sawmill since has added dry kilns and several new machines as the company looks to diversify, improve efficiency and get more out of the logs they process.
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Bark helps power the heat in those the dry kilns. They’ve found uses for other waste products, which VanEpern called “offal,” as well — wood chips go to Billerud and the L’Anse Warden Electric Power Plant that runs on biomass fuel. The green sawdust is sent to Rhinelander, Wis., to be made into “liquid smoke” flavoring for cooking. Lowgrade materials sell for pallets produced in the Fox Valley area.
“There’s nothing that
goes into a landfill ... No part of the log gets wasted,”
VanEpern said. In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic led them to layoffs, the company went looking for a product to keep it viable, VanEpern said. They found “biscuits” — no, not the edible kind, but a small, thin, football-shaped piece of wood that is used in joining cabinets. After buying out a company in Cook, Minnesota, Ottawa Forest Products is now the sole U.S. producer of biscuits,
cranking out 20 million a year from birch, most of it harvested in the region, he said.
They have exclusive contracts with several producers, he said, so they can put on their product “Made in the U.S.A.”
Ottawa Forest Products plans later this fall to add a machine that will “optimize our cut line,” VanEpern said. This piece of equipment has artificial intelligence that will allow it to scan and analyze logs to determine the best cut
and grade. It will print on the board an ID that, as it goes into a bundle, will identify “exactly where that board went to,” VanEpern said.
“It’s one more step in our optimization process that will allow us to be as good, if not better, than the rest,” he said.
While the headquarters has remained in Ironwood, all of Ottawa Forest Products’ production now takes place in Amasa. The site operates year-round, stocking up on as many logs as possible before winter sets
in so they can keep running until the spring breakup, when they can get new logs again, he said.
The Amasa site employs about 40 people, about half of them needed in the main building that houses the sawmill and lumber sticker-stacker machine that was installed this spring. It places narrow strips of wood between layers of lumber to allow for better air circulation on all sides while in the dry kiln, VanEpern said.
They have a trucking
company and truck shop as well.
A number of their staff have worked at the site longer than he has, VanEpern said. All are willing to tackle whatever job needs to be done in the mill operation.
“At the heart of it all, we have a great group of employees,” he said. “They do a fantastic job keeping the mill going.”
Betsy Bloom can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 240, or bbloom@ironmountaindailynews.com.
•
MI • (906) 452-7004 Fax: (906) 452-6662 Log Buyers &
Foresters Brad Veneberg, Munising, MI • (906) 202-1037 Ben West, Traverse City, MI • (906) 630-4918 Randy Oman, Felch, MI • (906) 202-0896
Kollin Long, Florence, WI • (906) 202-0391 Mike McNeill, McMillan, MI • (906) 630-2139
Forest Fact: More than half of the forestland in the U.S. is privately owned and managed. Approximately 11 million families, individuals, trusts, and estates, collectively referred to as family forest owners, control 38% of private forestland, more than any other group. About 89% of wood harvested in the U.S. comes from these private forests, which provide most of the wood for domestically produced wood and paper products.
USDA Forest Service
2024-2025
MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF TIMBERMEN BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JOE DOYLE Region 4
DOYLE FOREST PRODUCTS INC.
JIM MAEDER - VICE PRESIDENT Region 4
JAMES MAEDER TIMBER
ANNE HARMON - SECRETARY/TREASURER Region 3
HARMON LOGGING INC.
JOHN FOWLER - Chair Region 4
DT FOWLER MFG. CO., INC.
BRIAN NELSON - Chair Region 2
NELSON LOGGING
WES WINDOVER - Chair Region 3
BIEWER SAWMILL, INC.
GLEN TOLKSDORF - Chair Region 1
TOLKSDORF REALTY & FORESTRY
CHARLEY MACINTOSH Region 2
KRETZ LUMBER CO., INC.
PAUL BURTON Region 2
PAUL BURTON FORESTRY
STEVE ANDERSON Region 1
MVA ENTERPRISES, INC.
BROCK VANOSS Region I
VANOSS FORESTRY
BOB BAZUIN Region 3
ROGER BAZUIN & SONS, INC.
VAUGHN WEST PRESIDENT Region 3 AIS
(NON-PROFIT) MICHIGAN ASOCIATION OF TIMBERMEN (MAT)
2024-2025
TIMSER, INC.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHARLEY MACINTOSH - PRESIDENT KRETZ LUMBER CO., INC.
JIM MAEDER - DIRECTOR
JAMES MAEDER TIMBER
JESSICA BUFFORD TREASURER
THOMAS D. BUCKINGHAM, SR. SECRETARY
WADE VANKUELEN DIRECTOR
TUFFY BURTON DIRECTOR
PROFIT) FOREST INSURANCE CENTER AGENCY, INC. FOREST INSURANCE CENTER AGENCY, INC. AND TIMBER PRODUCERS SERVICE BUREAU
OWNS ALL STOCK OF
MAUCK INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.
SOLE MEMBER OF
LOGGERS INSURANCE AGENCY II, LLC
JOHN FOWLER DIRECTOR
2024-2025
FOREST INSU NCE CENTER AGENCY, INC. & MAUCK INSU NCE AGENCY, INC. & LOGGERS INSU NCE AGENCY II, LLC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JOHN FOWLER, DIRECTOR DT FOWLER MFG,. CO., INC.
JIM MAEDER - PRESIDENT JAMES MAEDER TIMBER
THOMAS D. BUCKINGHAM, SR. SECRETARY
JESSICA BUFFORD TREASURER
CHARLEY MACINTOSH, DIRECTOR KRETZ LUMBER CO.
TELFORD BURTON, VICE PRESIDENT TUFFY & SON, LLC
MARK HUEMPFNER, DIRECTOR* WILD RIVERS FORESTRY, INC.
WADE VANKEULEN, DIRECTOR
CENTRAL MICHIGAN HARDWOODS, INC. TIM LEE, DIRECTOR* ASHLAND MAT, LLC *Mauck & Loggers Directors
LANSING — Recog -
nizing that many people would welcome more time to review the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ new, draft 10-year State Forest Management Plan, the DNR has extended the original early October deadline to Dec. 31.
The plan guides management of Michigan’s nearly 4 million acres of state forest, spread across the northern Lower and Upper peninsulas. Forest management activities include timber harvesting, prescribed burning,
tree planting and providing quality wildlife habitat.
“This is a long, comprehensive document, but that degree of specificity and inclusion is needed to ensure that we capture the wide range of values that exist in the state forest,” said Dan Heckman, planning and modeling specialist with the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. “Many people and groups use the forest for recreation, hunting, hiking, cycling, ORV riding and more. We want to make sure everyone who wants to provide feedback on this plan
can do so.”
There are two ways to explore and learn about the plan:
— Go to the state forest planning webpage at https:// www.michigan.gov/dnr/ managing-resources/forestry/management/region to download the report in full or review it section by section.
— Watch a recorded webinar at https:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=5Qgtnl_mkTE that lays out key points of the draft plan.
Heckman led the team
that created the plan, which includes DNR forestry, wildlife, fisheries and recreation planning staff.
“This 10-year plan helps to ensure Michigan’s state forests remain certified for responsible management by two independent agencies,” he said. “It also looks to the future with objectives and actions that recognize the challenges and realities of managing the forest in a changing climate.”
Public input can be submitted to ForestPlanComments@Michigan.gov.
•Propane Filling
Gas and Supplies
•Efco Chainsaws & Supplies
•G&C Carport
GLADSTONE —Cone collecting season is here. The Hiawatha National Forest will be accepting cones that have been collected from the Upper Peninsula for purchase through Nov. 27, or when collection goals have been met.
Species that will be purchased are jack pine at
$60 per bushel, red pine at $100 per bushel, and hemlock at $100 per gallon. Seeds collected from these cones will be used in replanting efforts on the forest.
Cones should be free of twigs, branches, needles, and other debris. Excessive amounts of debris will reduce the estimated volume
of cones and lead to reduced payment.
Cones should also be free of insect bore holes, and should be stored in a cool, dry place and be delivered as soon as possible after collection.
Cone collection can occur on Hiawatha National Forest lands. Collecting cones by cutting down
trees or pruning branching is illegal on the Hiawatha National Forest.
Lands under other jurisdictions, including state, county, and private lands, follow differing regulations and may require permission or permits. It is the responsibility of the collector to obtain necessary permissions.
Collectors will need to identify the location where the cones were found, so keeping cones from varying locations in separate bags is highly recommended.
Collectors may earn up to $2,499 per fiscal year. Payment is made using PayPal or the federal SAM system. To receive payment, collectors need to establish an account with their preferred system prior to handing in the cones.
In the Rapid River district, to schedule a drop-off or ask questions contact James Kelling at 906-4746442, ext. 2130; Katelyn Blevins at 906-474-6442, ext. 2124; or Ally Crouch at 906-474-6442, ext. 2143.
Two Sides North America
Forestry plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of North American ecosystems. Both the United States and Canada have implemented rigorous standards to ensure the sustainability of their forests, benefiting the environment and supporting the paper industry’s responsible practices. Sustainable forestry practices and certifications like Forest Stewardship Council, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification use third-party auditing to ensure compliance with standards.
North American forests are vast and diverse, with the United States and Canada collectively managing hundreds of millions of acres of forestland. These forests are essential for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and providing raw materials for various industries, including paper and paper-based packaging production. Responsible management and sustainable practices are critical for ensuring these forests remain healthy and productive.
Forest and paper products
Paper products sourced from sustainable forests help maintain and enhance forest health. Sustainable forestry practices, such as selective logging, reforestation, and conservation, ensure that forests remain productive and ecologically balanced. Selective logging means harvesting trees in a way that maintains the forest’s structure and biodiversity. Reforestation is planting new trees to replace those that have
been harvested. Conservation is protecting areas of high ecological value from logging and development. These practices ensure that forests continue to provide ecological, economic, and social benefits.
There is a misconception that the use of wood, paper, or paper-based products leads to deforestation when, in fact, it helps maintain and grow available forest
land. Sustainable harvesting of trees to make products that benefit society is not considered deforestation — defined as the permanent conversion of forestland to non-forest use — because the trees will grow back. Deforestation occurs when forest lands are converted for things like agriculture, transportation, mining, or urban development.
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Choosing paper products from sustainably managed forests encourages forest owners to have an economic incentive to maintain their forestlands rather than convert them to non-forest uses.
Certification standards: FSC, SFI and PEFC
To support sustainable forestry, the United States and Canada adhere to rigorous certification standards such as FSC, SFI and PEFC.
Forest Stewardship Council
FSC certification ensures that forests are managed according to strict environmental, social, and economic standards. FSC-certified products are sourced from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental benefits and support local communities.
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
SFI certification focuses on promoting sustainable forest management in North America. It includes requirements for protecting water quality, biodiversity, and wildlife habitats.
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification
The PEFC works to protect our forests by promoting sustainable forest management through certification. This means we can all benefit from the many products that forests provide now, while ensuring these forests will be around for generations to come.
FSC, SFI and PEFC-certified forests are subject to regular third-party audits to ensure compliance with these standards.
EUDR Compliance and
The European Union Deforestation Regulation aims to ensure that products sold in the E.U. do not contribute to deforestation. While the goals of EUDR are commendable, the practical implementation poses challenges, particularly for North American forestry practices.
According to the American Forest & Paper Association, the E.U. relies on pulp and paper imports from the U.S., which exports around $3.5 billion worth of products to E.U. countries. The U.S. also supplies about 60% of the specialty pulp E.U. manufacturers use to make diapers, menstrual and incontinence products, and 85% of the specialty pulp used globally.
The complex supply chains and mixed sources of raw materials present challenges to meeting EUDR’s stringent traceability requirements. North American mills often use wood chips from various sources, making it difficult to trace the origin of every piece of fiber. Despite these challenges, North American forestry standards already provide robust mechanisms to ensure sustainable practices.
North American forestry exemplifies sustainable forest management North American forestry exemplifies sustainable forest management that benefits the environment and supports local communities. While the industry always faces new challenges, it is essential to recognize that current North American standards are already highly effective in promoting sustainable forestry. Ongoing collaboration and
innovation will be crucial as the industry faces new regulatory requirements while continuing to protect and manage our vital forest resources.
Two Sides North America is part of the non-profit Two Sides global network that includes more than 600 member companies across North America, South America, Europe, Australia and South Africa. Its goal is to dispel common environmental misconceptions and to inspire and inform businesses and consumers with engaging, factual information about the environmental sustainability and value of print, paper and paper-based packaging.
EAGLE RIVER, Wis.
—Trees For Tomorrow, an environmental education center located in Eagle River, Wis., announced recently the appointment of Daniel Kalupa as the president of the board.
With nearly seven years in the forest products industry, Kalupa has served as a member of TFT’s Board of Directors for the past 2.5 years.
DANIEL KALUPA
“He brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of knowledge that will undoubtedly lead our organization to new heights,” said Cheryl Todea, executive director of TFT.
The governing board at Trees For Tomorrow comprises a diverse group of industry professionals committed to promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Each board member brings a wealth of experience from various natural resource fields, including education, forestry initiatives and business, ensuring a well-rounded approach to TFT’s mission.
Together, they provide
strategic guidance, and oversee organizational governance.
Kalupa currently works for Bulkley Dunton Communications a division of Veritiv Corp. His role within the organization is focusing on technical specialty papers.
Kalupa said he aims to retain donors, grow cor -
porate membership, and broadcast the good that TFT offers to the future workers in the forest products sector. This includes expanding educational programs, enhancing community outreach, and fostering partnerships.
“I am excited to collaborate with such a dedicated team and to further our
mission of educating and inspiring our community about the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability,” Kalupa said.
Trees For Tomorrow is an accredited nonprofit environmental center with facilities that include dormitories, a full-service dining hall, and classrooms.
By BILL COOK Michigan Forest Pathways
Watching birds continues to be one of the favorite activities in the United States. For whatever set of reasons, humans are fascinated by our flying fauna. For some folks, the interest dives deeper than the casual “oh my.”
Forest management is one of the greatest friends to bird populations. Does that sound a bit biased coming from a forester and wildlife biologist? Well, perhaps it is. Yet, forestowners interested in bird habitat can do much to swing habitat one way or another with bird populations in mind.
Michigan sports about 250 species of birds, not counting another 60 or so accidentals that occasionally blow-in from the Rockies, the Canadian tundra and taiga, or one of the oceans. Of the 250 species, roughly half prefer forested habitats. The other half tend to occupy grasslands, open brushlands, and aquatic habitats.
Identifying a single preferred habitat can sometimes be a bit of a head-scratcher, as many birds will use more than one habitat. So, while there may be shades of the arbitrary in the classification, such groupings help us better understand the requirements of our avian friends.
What sorts of forest conditions do birds seek? In fact, diversity reigns across our Lake States forests, and that is quite a good thing, especially if you’re a bird. Consider the following: conifers versus deciduous, age classes ranging from regeneration to young to mature to old, low-
land versus upland trees, open versus closed canopies, edges between different habitats, the presence of streams and openings, and the list goes on.
To make matters more complicated (and better), these conditions change over time. Bird populations move around their geography to find, and fight for, their favorite turf. Some spend most of their time high in the canopy, others in the subcanopy, others yet on the ground.
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Then, many birds are migrators that use our northwoods as “baby bird factories.” After fledging the chicks, and food resources dwindle in the fall, nearly everyone flies south for the winter.
Some travel as far as the southern parts of South America. Interestingly, there are even a handful of bird species that arrive from further north to spend the winter here. Birders get mighty excited if the great gray owls arrive.
However, we do have our year-round residents such as chickadees, grouse, woodpeckers, and nuthatches. They have adapted to exploit what food sources the winters have to offer.
Forest management changes the age and structure of the forest. Take the famous Kirtland’s warbler, who loves jack pine. However, the jack pine cannot be too old or too young, not too dense or not too sparse. Finding that “just right” set of breeding conditions was increasingly difficult, resulting in the warbler’s placement on the endangered species list. However, with decades of purposeful forestry, the bird is no longer listed as endangered.
Groups of bird species that occupy similar neighborhoods are called “suites.” Each suite often has a representative prominent or key species. These designations help humans relate to a suite.
For example, the brilliant Blackburnian warbler occupies the high canopy of dense forests. Alternatively, the ovenbird is a ground nester under a dense canopy.
Cooper’s hawks favor the mid-canopy for nesting.
Young forest habitats, and their associated birds, have become increasingly uncommon. The golden-winged warbler is the poster child for this habitat. Its population numbers have dwindled. In response, biologists work to provide more young forest, often in the form of regenerating clearcuts.
Areas with grasslands and brush thickets are also less common, as they are regarded as “wastelands” prone to human development. The yellow warbler hangs-out in such places. While far from threatened, their numbers have been steadily declining.
Forestry practices can be used to build-up a mid-canopy structure of saplings and tall brush species. The “green wall” under the canopy is favored by a wide range of birds.
Gaps cut into the forest, and edges between forest age classes are also particularly rich habitats for birds.
For the most part, traditional forestry has been good for birds, especially in wider landscape settings.
Red pine stands are sometimes decried as “biological deserts.” However, pine warblers and red crossbills will beg to differ. Turkeys will roost in mature pine. Hawks find the open understory easier places to grab mice.
Red pine stands among an ocean of hardwoods provide an important piece of community diversity. While sometimes inherently low in the number of bird species at some stand ages, red pine remain important forest components.
A range of forest composition and structure builds the keystone for bird diversity. It’s a game across the landscape and over time.
Forest management can help bolster populations of struggling bird species. However, our northern breeding habitat is only one element in the habitat needs of migrators. Even if we provide the best summer
habitat, a species may not benefit if their winter habitat is threatened.
To learn more about birds, the “Merlin” app for your phone is a tremendous resource. The software has gotten rather good at hearing bird songs and letting you know who makes them, and then provides information about sight identification, habitat, and life histories. It certainly shortcuts the pathway to more satisfying bird-watching.
For more about forestry modifications, browse the title “Forestry for Michigan Birds.” A pair of guidelines were prepared through the American Bird Conservancy, one for forestowners and a second for forest managers.
Bill Cook is a retired Michigan State University Extension forester and wildlife biologist.
LANSING — Michigan’s Invasive Species Grant Program is accepting proposals until Nov. 1 for the 2024 funding cycle, with an anticipated $3.6 million available to applicants.
The program — a joint effort of the Michigan departments of Natural Resources; Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; and Agriculture and Rural Development — is celebrating the 10th year of the statewide initiative launched in 2014 to help prevent, detect and control invasive species in Michigan.
Invasive species are those that are not native and whose introduction causes harm to Michigan’s economy, environment or human health.
“The challenge of harmful invasive species in Michigan is bigger than
any one department in state government,” said EGLE Director Phil Roos. “It takes cooperation, education, and effective tools like the Michigan Invasive Species Grant to counter the threat these invaders pose to our environment, economy, and well-being — on land and in our waters.”
Program handbook, webinar
The 2024 grant program handbook outlines program priorities and application guidelines. Applicants also can take advantage of a webinar to learn more about general grant information, the application process and 2024 priorities. Both the handbook and a recorded version of the webinar are available at Michigan.gov/MISGP.
2024 priorities
This year, the program is
seeking proposals for projects to address the following priorities.
— Improving public adoption of decontamination practices like cleaning recreation equipment between uses or purchasing local firewood.
—Detecting and responding to watch list species in high-risk areas.
— Improving understanding and developing response plans for watch list species or others that may pose future risks to Michigan.
— Implementing and evaluating control projects for high-priority invasive species.
— Finding innovative and efficient control methods.
— Increasing biological and ecological understanding of invasive species to im-
prove detection and control.
— Developing or improving risk assessments, best control practices and other resources to inform management decisions.
— Supporting Michigan’s 22 cooperative invasive species management areas, or CISMAs, in implementing strategic plans
for outreach, detection and control of regional priority species.
Applicants should review the full list of priorities provided in the MISGP Handbook and communicate with technical contacts if questions arise.
Program progress
The Michigan Invasive
Species Grant Program supports projects throughout the state that prevent, detect, manage and eradicate invasive species on the ground and in the water. Total program funding is set by the Legislature and the governor during the annual budget cycle.
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In the last 10 years, the program has awarded more than $36 million to 269 projects, resulting in education, identification and management of invasive species including hemlock woolly adelgid insects, European frog-bit plants and mile-a-minute weed. Because of this program, more than 664,000 acres of land and water have been surveyed and about 53,000 acres have been treated for invasive species.
Highlights of the 2023 invasive species program are available in the Michigan Invasive Species Program Annual Report, which includes program-funded projects.
Regional CISMAs operate in all of Michigan’s 83 counties, assisting the public in identifying and managing invasive species. Contact
information for individual CISMAs can be found at Michigan.gov/Invasives in the Take Action section.
Important program dates and information
Local, state, federal and tribal units of government, nonprofit organizations and universities may apply for funding to support invasive species projects in Michigan. Full project proposals are due Nov.1. The award announcement is anticipated in March 2025.
Grant requests for general projects can range from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $400,000. CISMAs can request up to $70,000 for annual implementation of prevention, detection and control activities and up to $40,000 for specific outreach and/or survey and treatment projects.
There are no match re -
quirements for the program, and match documentation will not be accepted as part of the application.
Competitive applications will outline clear objectives, propose significant ecological benefits, demonstrate diverse collaboration and show strong community support.
All applications must be submitted through the MiGrants online system. Applicants can access the system at MiGrants.Intelligrants.com or follow the link at Michigan.gov/MISGP.
Michigan’s Invasive Species Program is cooperatively implemented by the Michigan departments of Agriculture and Rural Development; Environment, Great Lakes and Energy; and Natural Resources.
W3894 U.S. Highway 2 West Powers, MI 49874
Owner: Mark Gudwer Jr. Phone: 906-497-5509 www.moraskasaw.com moraskasawinc@gmail.com
Mill Saw & Knife Repairs & Supplies
By GLENN ROSENHOLM
USDA Forest Service
Climate change is expected to impact forests on a global scale, but there are new tips and tools for public and private forest managers to plan ahead, thanks to efforts from the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, a multi-partner institution led by the USDA Forest Service.
Climate change is affecting forests on a global scale — from tree health, water supply, milder winters, soil erosion, native vegetation, invasive species and more. These impacts are also expected to affect privately-owned forests in the Forest Service’s Eastern Region, where the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science is located.
Patricia Leopold, a climate adaptation specialist for Forest Service attached to the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, discussed some anticipated climate change effects and detailed steps that private forest landowners can take to increase forest health and resiliency in the face of change.
Changing rainfall
“Climate change is extending our growing season. We’re seeing more extreme rainfall, as well as late season moisture stress. Those changes have implications for drought and fire risk on the landscape as well,” Leopold said. “Climate change is shifting the precipitation patterns and soil moisture levels. Climate change is dumping more water from storms into these systems faster than the soils can accommodate it.”
The effects of rainfall changes depend on the soil types and characteristics within the landscape.
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IS expected to be impacted by more frequent severe flooding as a result of climate change in the coming decades.
Pictured above is a swan nesting in a wetland on the Ottawa National Forest in the Upper Peninsula.
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For example, a soil type that is shallow or has exposed bedrock will experience greater runoff into water bodies. Other soil types have greater water holding capacity.
“In the northern parts of our region, where snow plays a greater role in soil moisture throughout the year, we’re getting snow melt earlier in the spring and peak stream flow earlier in the year. That could mean less overall soil moisture later in the season,” Leopold explained.
Forest health
“If you look across the Eastern Region, you can see the vulnerabilities are specific to forest types, tree species
and forest site conditions,” Leopold said.
In the northwoods of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan, for example, northern forest types are dependent on cold, wet conditions. Many of the species in that forest type including hemlock, paper birch, spruce and fir are projected to decline. Climate change can also add to other ongoing threats. For example, when oak-dominated forests are already stressed due to consecutive years of drought, added stressors like spongy moth and oak decline can result in greater tree mortality.
“Oak and hickory species are projected to do well overall in a changing climate, and more temperate locations
where oak and hickory forests dominate are less vulnerable to climate change than northern forest types, but they still face climate change risks,” Leopold observed.
Trees all have ecological thresholds.
“There are certain climate variables, such as mean temperature in July or growing season precipitation, that are driving tree species responses, Leopold said. “Tree species respond uniquely to changes in climate. Those changes are dependent on site-level conditions. For instance, you could have a stand of sugar maple in marginal habitat that will be more likely to decline due to climate change than one in more suitable habitat.”
“It’s hard to look at a struggling species and say it’s due exclusively to climate change as opposed to a variety of individual threats and stressors. Cli mate change just makes everything a little harder to deal with,” she continued.
These climate shifts also
affect native wildlife and the flora they depend on.
“There are a number of studies that have observed earlier springs and a novel mismatch between migratory songbirds and their food sources,” explained Leopold.
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IS AN important element
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“Same thing with native pollinators and the timing of their flower blooms.”
How much a changing climate affects privately-owned forests will depend in part on the forest’s past management history and current conditions.
P reparing for climate change
Whether you’re a private or public landowner, creating a climate-informed management plan or stewardship p lan can reduce risk and make it easier to meet those management objectives.
These plans should have identified the management objectives, as well as expected climate change risks and adaptation actions, Leo -
pold described. The Forest Stewardship Program works through state forestry agencies and partners to provide assistance to private landowners for planning management of their forestland, i ncluding climate-informed objectives.
The Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science developed an adaptation workbook to help land managers incorporate climate cha nge considerations into land management plans. The institute also offers adaptation menus that allow landowners to select actions that address-specific climate change impacts and meet their management objectives.
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What a landowner does on their property will be unique to their objectives, site conditions and climate related risks.
While the adaptation workbook is useful for a variety of natural resource managers, private landowners working with a consulting forester might prefer targeted adaptation tools like such as the Institutes’s landowner scorecards for New York, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Quick-reference field guides that consider climate risk to management goals are also available for Michigan, Wis-
consin and Minnesota.
The Northern Institut e of Applied Climate Science conducts several offerings of online adaptation trainings for natural resource professionals and landowners to integrate climate change into their management plan.
Landowners may be able to fund some climate-informed management through t he Eastern Region’s State, Private, and Tribal Forestry grant opportunities at https:// www.fs.usda.gov/main/r9/ workingtogether/grants.
“Anything that restores diversity or ecological function
is going to promote resiliency to stressors. These tactics are tailored to meet the needs of the landowners and the specific impacts that they’ve identified,” Leopold said.
NIACS is a collaborative, multi-institutional partnership led by the USDA Forest Service and comprised of federal, forest sector, conservation, higher education, and tribal organizations. The NIACS partnership provides integral support to the USDA Northern Forests Hub and serves to bring together partners with diverse perspectives to achieve shared goals.
Forest Fact: More than 75% of all U.S. pulp and paper mills are located in counties that are more than 80% rural.
American Forest & Paper Association
LANSING — Michigan’s forest products industry has hit a new peak, adding $26.5 billion to Michigan’s economy, according to data released by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
That figure represents the impact of the industry in 2022, the most recent figures available, and is up $4 billion from 2019.
“Although the number of people directly employed in the industry decreased by 3.6%, all other economic indicators show significant growth,” said Jagdish Poudel, DNR forest economist. Those indicators include the average wage, labor income, output and industry productivity.
The increase in total output can be attributed to a strong forest products industry and its links to other industries. Additionally, Arauco, the largest particleboard manufacturer in the world, opened its $450 million Grayling production facility in 2019. Arauco directly generates around 220 jobs, which in turn create additional indirect and induced effects in the economy.
A growing impact
The forest products industry includes forestry and logging, wood furniture, pulp, paper, paperboard products and woody biomass power generation.
“Michigan’s forests provide a sustainable source for building materials, furniture and paper and cardboard products,” said
Jeff Stampfly, chief of the DNR’s Forest Resources Division and the state forester. “We are always looking for ways to best support the industry and respond to the public’s increasing desire for sustainability.”
Michigan’s 20.2 million acres of forest cover about half the state and are concentrated in the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula. Nearly 4 million of those acres are DNR-managed state forest lands.
The DNR works hand in hand with industry to support and expand it. For example, the woody biomass power generation industry sector directly generates around 120 jobs in Michigan. Biomass power is sustainable and uses materials with little value such as mill and manufacturer residues, logging residues and lowvalue forest products.
The DNR also is partnering with Michigan State University and Michigan Technological University to promote mass timber construction, a new building technique that allows for the construction of large and tall buildings using engineered wood panels and beams instead of traditional steel and concrete.
The DNR’s new customer service center in the eastern Upper Peninsula is currently under construction using mass timber materials made from Michigan red pine. It’s expected to be completed this fall.
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FOR FUTURE GROWTH of the forest products industry, the DNR is working with Michigan State
sity, Michigan Technological University and industry partners to promote the carbon-storing construction technique and develop ways to use abundant Michigan tree species. This photo shows detail of the MSU STEM Teaching and Learning Facility’s interior.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources photo
TIMBER IS LOADED onto a trailer for transport. Michigan’s forest products industry is expanding, thanks to new investment from global companies such as Arauco, which opened a Grayling plant in 2019. The forest products industry in Michigan supported a total of 88,275 jobs in Michigan during 2022, according to data provided by the Department of Natural Resources.
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Economic power
The forest products industry contributed 40,449 direct jobs during 2022 and supported a total of 88,275 jobs, according to the report.
“Each job in the forest products industry generates an additional 1.1 jobs in the economy,” Poudel said. The average wage in the forest products industry is nearly $80,000 annually.
Pulp, paper, paperboard and other paper products
comprise the largest sector, with a combined direct output of $7.7 billion. Primary and secondary solid wood products generated nearly $5.6 billion in direct output.
Wood furniture generated about $2.4 billion and forestry and logging about $470 million.
Learn more on the DNR’s forest products industry webpage at https://www. michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/forestry/ products.
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1230 Carpenter Ave. Iron Mountain, MI 774-2446
“You’ll find it at CARQUEST”
By JACK FALINSKI Michigan State University
EAST
LANSING —
The benefit of Michigan’s 20 million acres of forests can be seen through a variety of lenses. Michigan forests play a key role in offsetting greenhouse gas emissions through carbon storage, provide wildlife habitats and increase biodiversity, offer ample recreational opportunities to the state’s population and visitors, and supply timber resources and other forestry products — which contributed over $26 billion to Michigan’s economy in 2022, according to the latest data from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Research from a team of Michigan State University scientists shows there’s another benefit people derive from forests, but they might not recognize it: filtering and supplying clean drinking water.
In 2022, Emily Huff, an associate professor in the Department of Forestry; Asia Dowtin, an assistant professor in the Department of Forestry; Emily Huizenga, a former master’s student in the Department of Forestry; and Jo Latimore, an aquatic ecologist and outreach specialist in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, published their findings on how stakeholders view forests for their ability to provide clean drinking water in the Journal of American Water Resources Association.
Stakeholders in this study were broken into seven categories: water consumers, water utility providers,
forest landowners, industry partners, policymakers, local governments and nonprofit organizations.
Huff said the team hypothesized that people wouldn’t connect forests to their ecological service — a benefit that ecosystems provide to humans — of yielding clean drinking water, which she said was confirmed through her team’s research.
“Generally speaking, most people understood that where there are forests, there’s cleaner and more abundant water,” Huff said. “However, they didn’t make the functional link that conserving forests results in cleaner drinking water.
“The conclusion we came to for why this is, is partly because Michigan is varied when it relates to where water comes from and flows to throughout different watersheds. There’s a huge focus on overall Great Lakes water quality, but maybe less so specifically on drinking water.”
Moreover, Huff said that unless people have a well, many don’t know where their drinking water comes from or how (and how much) forests contribute to
clean water.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, more than 150 million people in the U.S. rely on forests to filter drinking water. In Michigan, 56% of residents get their drinking water from surface water, while 44% get it from groundwater, as reported by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Forests aid in the purification of drinking water through multiple processes. Tree leaves and branches buffer heavy rainwater from the forest floor and inhibit the erosion of sediment into bodies of water, sheltering surface water from pollution. As rainwater soaks through the soil as groundwater, it’s filtered through tree roots which absorb nutrients.
From their findings, Huff said there’s now data showing an opportunity — or “untapped potential” as it’s described in the title her team’s published research, “Untapped Potential: Do Stakeholders Value Forests for Providing Clean Drinking Water?” — to educate people on the direct impact forests have on drinking water.
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THE LOWER TAHQUAMENON Falls is surrounded by forests in the Upper Peninsula. Forests aid in the purification of drinking water through multiple processes, including inhibiting the erosion of sediment into bodies of water.
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“Our next steps have been to think about outreach,” Huff said. “We want to make people more aware of the functional link between forests and water and inspire them to learn more about where their drinking water comes from. If there’s an opportunity to protect a forest that will contribute to a town or city’s drinking water, we want to raise awareness of the benefits it presents.”
One way of accomplishing this has been to collaborate with state agencies.
Mike Smalligan, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources forest stewardship coordinator, oversees Forest to Mi Faucet, a Michigan DNR program aimed at providing education around the relationship between Michigan forests and drinking water. The initiative engages a variety of partners from different backgrounds, including those from watershed councils, land conservancies and conservation districts, as well as forestry and water organizations at the regional, state and national level.
The program officially began in 2022 just as the research from Huff and her team was published, but Smalligan said conversations about how to better link forests to water quality started in 2016 among him, Huff and Huizenga. Smalligan said Huff and her team narrowed the general topic of water quality to drinking water, which eventually helped shape Forest to Mi Faucet.
“That was a very insightful narrowing of the focus because, of course, everyone in Michigan drinks
water,” Smalligan said. “In 2016, we were only a couple years removed from the beginning of the Flint water crisis when drinking water was a crisis in Michigan and something we needed to pay more attention to. I wanted forests and the Michigan DNR to be more relevant to a conversation about drinking water.”
Forest to Mi Faucet was developed from a broader, national program implemented by the U.S. Forest Service called Forests to Faucets, which identifies U.S. watersheds serving as sources of drinking water that would benefit from forest conservation or restoration projects.
In addition to educating stakeholders on the connection between forests and drinking water, Forest to Mi Faucet also helps find ways to lower water treatment costs for communities through forest filtration, protects forests from landuse changes, teaches landowners how to responsibly manage forests, and grows
forests through the strategic planting of trees.
“If we want to protect our drinking water, the most important thing we can do is manage the land well,” Smalligan said.
Huff said protecting forests for drinking water doesn’t mean landowners can’t manage forests. Both she and Smalligan said there are sustainable ways to harvest forest products
that don’t interrupt water ecosystems, such as putting the proper infrastructure in place loggers can use to avoid disturbing watersheds and knowing which areas to leave trees untouched to ensure water protection in the future.
“Healthy forests protect clean drinking water, and healthy forests are sometimes actively managed for forest products,” Huff said. “There are ways to log forests that are sensitive to water quality and quantity, and at the end of the day, having forests where they are far surpasses any other land use when it comes to water quality and quantity. Being able to market timber products is sometimes what we need to do to protect lands as forests.”
A longer-term goal Huff said she’d like to build upon from her team’s research is to explore the possibility of creating a market that would compensate landowners or forest managers for the water-based ecosystem services their forests provide.
“There are ways to log forests that are sensitive to water quality and quantity, and at the end of the day, having forests where they are far surpasses any other land use when it comes to water quality and quantity. Being able to market timber products is sometimes what we need to do to protect lands as forests.”
“That would essentially mean that money moves from the consumer or utility provider upstream to the forest landowner or manager so that forests are protected via a system where the beneficiaries — the consumers of water — pay forest landowners or managers to keep their lands as forests,” Huff said. “We know there are land-use tradeoffs, and sometimes forests aren’t the highest value that a particular piece of land might hold, so this might be one way to counter the appeal of converting forests to other land uses.”
Michigan State University AgBioResearch scientists discover dynamic solutions for food systems and the environment. More than 300 MSU faculty conduct leading-edge research on a variety of topics, from health and climate to agriculture and natural resources. Originally formed in 1888 as the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, MSU AgBioResearch oversees numerous on-campus research facilities, as well as 15 outlying centers throughout Michigan. To learn more, visit agbioresearch.msu.edu.
By R. R. BRANSTROM
Daily Press, Escanaba
ESCANABA — A hands-on exhibit at the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds, “Growing UP Foresters,” has since 2006 provided attendees of the U.P. State Fair with a different type of experience.
Geared towards children, but also visited by a large number of adults,” Growing UP Foresters” was created in 2006 through the efforts of then-Special Events Coordinator Debbie Mulvaney. The aim — to inform about the outdoors and the forest products industry — and the engagement encouraged within are perhaps more valuable today than during the first few years following the exhibit’s inception, considering the prevalence of digital screens, remarked a volunteer.
Above the entry to the exhibit, which is inside the Miracle for Life building, is a sign bearing a cartoon moose and the words “TakeA-Hike.” Before entering the dimly-lit space with a low-hanging canopy and speakers chirping forest sounds to evoke a Northwoods scene, children pause to pick up a sheet of paper printed with 12 questions relating to the exhibit, which is comprised of a number of stations that act as a sort of scavenger hunt for the answers to the quiz.
At one station, model fishing poles with magnets on the end sit next to a small pool with a handful of fish (also magnetized) in the water; the sheet invites participants to utilize the toys and informs them that returning the fish to the
water is called “catch and release.” Another station asks kids to count the rings of a tree stump to determine how old it was.
In addition to the interactive installations, educational posters and signs dot the space.
From stops like station eight — built to look like the trunk of a massive tree in the middle of the exhibit — visitors can gain a range of information. The sheet just asks children to name one type of tree, and surely some do only that and move on. But this station has thorough descriptions of different species of tree, pictures of their leaves and even samples of sections cut from quaking aspen, red oak, white birch, American beech, white ash and sugar maple.
Upon exiting the exhibit, kids turn in their completed sheets and get to choose three prizes from a “general store” at the end.
Initially, a grant from the Community Foundation of the Upper Peninsula’s Sustainable Forest and Wildlife Fund helped bring the Growing UP Foresters to life. Its aim was to “showcase the many wonders of the woods” and “emphasize the many ways trees enhance our lives and forest ecosystems.”
In 2007, the exhibit was opened to the Logging Congress, an event now called the Great Lakes Logging and Heavy Equipment Expo. It became a stop on the Delta County Fifth Grade Agricultural and Natural Resources Tour.
In 2008, as representative of the U.P. State Fair and
“Growing UP Foresters” won five awards: Best Educational Exhibit Award for fairs with attendance up to 100,000; Best of Division Award, selected from 13 category winners; Judges’ Choice Award, given for outstanding innovation and uniqueness; second place in the category for fair and sponsor joint exhibit program; and second place in another category for “green” programs.
Today, Billerud — the company that owns the paper mill in Escanaba — is the sole sponsor of “Growing UP Foresters.”
“It’s important to showcase the paper industry and what can be made from forest products,” said Pam Versailles, health and safety director for Billerud North America, who manages the exhibit.
Supervised by Judy Rusha, employees from Billerud and their families and friends volunteer to help run the exhibit during fair week. They arrive about two weeks before the fair to clean and prepare the site. Versailles said that Billerud buys fair passes and some ride wristbands for volunteers.
One volunteer said she likes seeing the excitement in the children, and that a lot of them have fun playing on the small basketball court section at the end, made by Horner Flooring.
In 2023, 2,600 children alone — not counting adults, who also go through the exhibit — visited Growing UP Foresters, Rusha reported.
“It’s been a great exhibit for years, and the kids learn a lot,” Rusha said.
the Growing UP Foresters exhibit, Mulvaney went to Las Vegas for the annual
convention of the International Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, where
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