By Brian C. Cole, Wisconsin DNR Forest Product Specialist

Photo Credit: Wisconsin Forestry Center

At this year’s Wisconsin State Fair, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Forest Products Services program, in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point Wisconsin Forestry Center, showcased the economic importance of Wisconsin’s forest products industry.

This included pulp and paper, lumber and non-timber forest products like maple syrup, as well as advanced forest products like biochar and sustainable aviation fuel. Wisconsin’s $27 billion forest products sector is leading the way in forest products development and sustainable forest management.

Along with forest products, fairgoers learned about forest health issues, invasive species, Wisconsin’s forest trees and tree identification. The big attraction was the Ponsse North America harvester simulator. Fairgoers had a chance to virtually operate a Ponsse Scorpion dangle head harvester and take part in a virtual, sustainable, cut-to-length harvest. Fairgoers learned about modern-day logging and why a sustainable harvest is needed for forest management.