Wisconsin Council on Forestry

The WI Forests FIRST project aims to develop a comprehensive, industry-driven strategic plan and actionable roadmap for Wisconsin's forest industry. This plan will closely examine the industry's strengths and limitations, analyze conditions impeding development, assess raw forest material supply and access, review global markets for new development, and address workforce and worker training needs. The initiative seeks to support and enhance the state's ecological, social, and economic well-being by fostering an environmentally sustainable, economically robust, and diverse forward-looking industry, creating family-sustaining jobs, and ensuring forest health for future generations.

The Council on Forestry's strategic goals focus on enhancing its role as a forestry expert in Wisconsin, advocating for stable state funding for forestry programs, raising awareness of the importance of transportation infrastructure for the timber industry, promoting the benefits of sound forest management, and supporting efforts to increase the utilization of the state's forest products. Additional goals include engaging with the water community to recognize forestry's role in water resource management, addressing climate change impacts, promoting the health and economic benefits of forests, sharing information with stakeholders, mitigating invasive species, influencing deer population discussions, building value around forest-based recreation, advocating for timber industry careers, and highlighting the values stewarded by private woodland owners.

The strategic plan and roadmap for Wisconsin's Forest Products Industry focuses on addressing challenges and threats to the state's economy, rural communities, and forest health. It aims to develop a comprehensive plan to position Wisconsin as a leader in the global wood market by supporting innovation, workforce development, and sustainable practices. The plan seeks to identify factors preventing new and existing forest products companies from locating or expanding in Wisconsin and to provide recommendations for improvement, while also emphasizing the importance of environmental quality and sustainable forest management.

The document outlines goals and action statements resulting from the 2013 Forestry Economic Summit. It focuses on increasing the workforce and proficiency of skilled workers, enhancing timber production within Wisconsin's federal, state, county, and private forests through sustainable practices. It also aims to grow Wisconsin's forest product markets, foster collaboration between manufacturers and forest management professionals, improve public understanding of sustainable forest management benefits, and address constraints in transporting materials.