This is a guest opinion column

Alabama’s forest products industry is growing. Our state boasts more than 23 million acres of forests, which enables Alabamians to produce $12.5 billion in forest products every year. That makes forest products manufacturing one of the top industries in our state.

This industry has not only added jobs to Alabama’s workforce but has also provided a sustainable means of managing forests, stimulating rural economies, and contributing significantly to the state’s overall economic growth.

While pulp and paper, lumber, and other solid wood products have been a mainstay in the forest products industry for decades, a newer industry is opening up markets for Alabama’s timber industry— sustainably-sourced wood pellets.

Wood pellets are used as a source of biomass energy, with applications in both residential heating, industrial processes, and even electric generation.

Wood pellets are generally produced from lower-quality, smaller timber which allows wood pellet mills to create additional market demand for this lower value timber, benefiting both loggers and landowners.

Forests need periodic timber harvest to remain healthy. Crowded timber stands can stress trees and promote disease and pest infestations, including attacks from the southern pine beetle, which can ravage pine stands. By providing additional markets, the wood pellet industry enables loggers to thin out some of these crowded timber stands that might not otherwise be harvested.

This creates healthier forests for both large and small landowners.

Also, contrary to the misconceptions surrounding the industry, responsible sourcing practices have evolved over the years to prioritize forest health and conservation. Today’s forest industry operates with stringent regulations and self-imposed guidelines that ensure the balance between economic gain and environmental sustainability. Properly managed logging operations ensure that forests are thinned in a way that promotes growth and improves forest health, reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires and disease outbreaks. These practices are often backed by reforestation efforts that guarantee the replenishment of harvested trees – safeguarding Alabama’s forests for generations to come.

The wood products sector has also created a spectrum of jobs that cater to a wide range of skills and qualifications. These jobs, often found in rural areas where employment opportunities might be scarce, have not only helped families put food on the table but have also fostered a sense of community pride and belonging.

Many of these regions face unique challenges, including limited employment opportunities and younger workers seeking better prospects elsewhere. For decades, the wood products industry has provided well-paying, stable jobs in nearby communities. With the addition of each new mill, more jobs are created and more communities benefit.

Healthy forests need healthy timber markets. By investing in innovative wood pellet facilities, Alabama’s forest products industry is bringing much-needed jobs to rural Alabama and creating more healthy and sustainable forests in the process.

Chris Isaacson is a Registered Forester and Certified Wildlife Biologist® and serves as the President and CEO of the Alabama Forestry Association.