arboles forestWorking forests benefit economy, environment

Over the past decade, Alachua County residents have shown their support for public lands through the success of numerous voter referendums. The most recent was the 2016 approval of Wild Spaces and Public Places, when 60 percent of voters approved a half percent sales tax for eight years to pay, in part, for the purchase of more public lands.

Jib A. Davidson: Working forests benefit economy, environment
There has been extensive publicity about these lands along with their public goals and objectives. Less publicity has been given to working forests and hence there is less appreciation for their contribution to our economy and the environment.

Working forests are agriculture with the objective of supplying raw materials to regional manufacturing mills with an expectation of making a profit. Working forests in Alachua County (as well as surrounding counties) supply timber to five regional pulp mills, 25 saw mills and 14 other mills such as pole, shaving and fuelwood processing, all lying within 100 miles of Gainesville.

More specifically, Rayonier in Fernandina Beach manufactures tool handles for Craftsman screwdrivers (they are made from pulp, not plastic), cosmetics, crayons, binders for prescription pills, filters for oil and gas use, paints, acetate and toothpaste binder, not to mention Rayon (hence their name). They also are the exclusive manufacturer for Samsung smart phones, computer monitors and TV screens.

Their next-door neighbor, WestRock, manufactures cardboard boxes so you can receive Amazon packages at your door. It also makes cardboard containers for food (think cereal boxes), store displays,and craft paper for grocery bags (always ask for paper at Publix — it is renewable and you support local agriculture).

Palatka is home to Georgia Pacific, where they manufacture paper towels, napkins and toilet paper under the brand names Quilted Northern, Brawny, AngleSoft and Dixie. Imagine the quality of your life without toilet paper. Georgia Pacific, recently announced a $400 million dollar expansion that will require additional and continuous timber supply starting in two years.

The point is, these mills need timber to manufacture their products that we use every day. Mills that provide thousands of jobs to North Florida and are the main economic driver for most rural counties.

Last month, Alan W. Hodges, Christa D. Court and Mohammad Rahmani published “Economic Contributions of the Forest Industry and Forest-based Recreation in Florida in 2016” (http://bit.ly/forestindustrystudy). Their report documented that about 16 million tons of timber valued at $315 million is harvested annually from Florida forests.

Last year, that timber supported over 3 million metric tons of forest products that were exported to international destinations from Florida ports. Furthermore, that same year, the forest products sector directly employed 36,055 people and collected $12.55 billion in industry revenues. This is larger than Florida’s iconic citrus industry.

Closer to home, the study reported that for 2016 the forest industry located in Alachua County supplies 3,155 jobs (including mine) and adds $277 million dollars to our local economy.

Working forests produce investment-grade timber that is always growing. Good sites will produce 7 or 8 tons per acre per year — regardless of outside influences. Timber does not care who is president or what the current interest rates are. So long as the sun shines and it rains, the land will continue to produce 7 or 8 tons per acre every year.

Today’s genetically improved trees, combined with proper site preparation, can produce a full crop in less than 17 years. If one buys 10-year old timber, then it will be harvested in seven years. The cash flows work exactly like bonds. Then it is time to reforest and start a new and even better forest.

This same acre provides future economic growth, portfolio diversification and generates capital gains income. Maximizing net revenue from a timber investment is an acceptable landowner objective.

Although working forests have different landowner objectives then public lands, both share a common benefit to all of us. Both provide free ecosystem services including game and non-game wildlife habitats, air and ground water filtering, mitigation of droughts and flooding, nutrient recycling, soil preservation and carbon sequestration. The previously mentioned study suggested that these free ecosystem services are valued between $24 to $32 billion annually to Floridians.

If we did not have working forests, what would we do with the land? Maybe plant trailers? Working forests are owned by investors who are engaged in agriculture and own the ultimate investment; a renewable resource that is eco-friendly, sustainable and green. Next time you use a forest product, thank a timberland owner.
Jib A. Davidson is a certified forester and Florida Chair of the Society of American Foresters.

GAINESVILLE - USA - 16 enero 2018