This week, representatives of the American Forest & Paper Association or AF&PA (Washington, D.C., USA) and the Oregon Forest & Industries Council (OFIC) are partnering to host Forest Sector Day – #FORESTSOLUTIONS – at the state capitol in Salem, Oregon. In meetings with legislators, they and representatives from the Oregon Society of American Foresters, Associated Oregon Loggers, Oregon Small Woodlands Association, Oregon Women in Timber and Northwest Pulp & Paper Association will advocate for public policies that underscore the forest sector’s value and strengthen its ability to grow the economy and create jobs.

AF&PA President & CEO Donna Harman said, "Oregon’s forest products sector has long applied sustainable manufacturing practices to preserve and protect the environment as it produces products that make everyday life easier. That commitment has earned the state a slot as one of the top ten forest industry employers. We hope state legislators recognize the value of that compelling story – one that in 2017 provided jobs to over 61,000 workers with an average wage of $54,200 per year and a total payroll of $3.3 billion. Public policy that protects Oregon jobs, ensures lower global carbon emissions and safeguards the future of paper bags as a renewable resource will protect jobs and go a long way toward supporting our industry’s ability to thrive for generations to come."

OFIC President Kristina McNitt said, "OFIC advocates for policies that recognize the role of the forest products sector as part of the solution to big global challenges like climate change and protecting water quality. Our forests grow the timber that produces more softwood lumber and plywood than any other state, making Oregon the United States’ primary source of renewable, carbon friendly building products. Oregon is home to the largest wood building in the country, which is so structurally massive that it offsets the carbon equivalent of pollution generated by 1,200 passenger cars in a year. While the building stores that carbon, indefinitely, the forest is replanted and regenerates the sequestration and storage process all over again. That engine is tremendous: collectively, Oregon forests took only 46 minutes to grow enough lumber for that building – scrubbing the air of pollution and providing wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities and clean, cold water at the same time."