Celebrate Montana Forest Products Week

HELENA - Montana Forest Products Week, designed to showcase the forest industry and its vital role in sustainable forest management and in Montana’s economy, is this week with events planned around the state. The Montana Legislature first designated Montana Forest Products Week in 2011 to recognize the forest products industry, calling on communities, businesses and other organizations to observe the week. The week also coincides with National Forest Products Week.

Tuesday, Oct. 20, Montana Governor Steve Bullock presented the “Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Utilization and Promotion of Montana Wood.” The award, authorized by Executive Order 12-2014 to Promote Use of Montana Wood Products, will be presented to Willis Enterprises for their pulp log chipping operation at the former Stimson mill site in Bonner.

The Kalispell and Missoula Chambers of Commerce will each hold Timber Tours to showcase forest management activities, wood processing facilities and niche markets. Kalispell’s tour will take place on Thursday, Oct. 22, and Missoula’s on Friday, Oct. 23.

On the University of Montana campus, forestry students will be hanging tags on trees to highlight the value of urban trees, their environmental benefits and products derived from them. Also throughout the week, businesses and storefronts in Missoula and Bitterroot valleys will display signs that showcase their use of Montana wood in their building design or product lines.

Schoolchildren will participate in “Walks in the Woods” field trips designed to teach about forest ecology and stewardship, provide tours of area mills and explore the wood products industry. Walks are planned in Anaconda, Clancy, Condon, Deer Lodge, Seeley Lake and Troy.

Montana’s forest products sector is a strong contributor to the Montana economy and the environment, both in the diverse range of wood products produced and in sustaining healthy forest landscapes that support watersheds, recreation, tourism and wildlife habitat. A diverse and integrated forest industry is critical to forest management in Montana.

More information about the week is also available at: http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/forestry/forestry-assistance/biomass/forest-products-week or on the Montana Forest Products Week Facebook page.