Forest policies in Wisconsin have been evolving rapidly in recent decades. There has been much discussion and debate regarding effects that changing policies have on current forest-based operations and potential future growth in Wisconsin's forest products industry. Information gaps exist regarding the costs and benefits of forest policies, regulations and guidelines in Wisconsin. Addressing these information gaps through a well-focused forest practices study will serve to establish a credible research information data base for addressing identified issues and concerns.
In early 2011, Wisconsin Council on Forestry (COF) identified five priority issues:
- timber supply,
- forest certification,
- Wisconsin's Managed Forest Law (MFL) Program,
- deer, and
- education.
The COF formed committees to address each of these priority issues. Since that time, Wisconsin's COF has struggled with sufficient funding to gather reliable, scientific data necessary for developing guidance addressing these and other forest policy issues. The
2013 Wisconsin Forestry Practices Study will enable necessary research efforts.
The
2013 Wisconsin Forestry Practices Study is a comprehensive study of Wisconsin DNR forestry and forest fire prevention practices. Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association (GLTPA) and Wisconsin County Forests Association (WCFA) received a state grant for $600,000 over a two year period to complete the study. GLTPA and WCFA will be utilizing a consultative process with the Wisconsin Council on Forestry to guide research. The goal of the study is to obtain research results which will help guide decisions and policy development for investment in forest-based manufacturing industries in Wisconsin, while ensuring that social and ecological benefits provided by Wisconsin's forest remain viable for future generations.
GLTPA and WCFA have selected the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI) to serve as general contractor for this study. NCASI is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(6) research institute formed in 1943 focusing on environmental and sustainability topics relevant to forest management and the manufacture of forest products. NCASI will subcontract research projects out to qualified organizations. We believe that multiple research projects (rather than one overly broad project) will better serve the information needs of the forestry community.
The following
document provides a short two page description of the study, lists the study
authors, and shows the process for input research and the resulting
recommendations: WFPS Overview
Contact Information
- Henry Schienebeck
- GLTPA, Executive Director
P.O. Box 1278
Rhinelander, WI 54501
henry@neworth.net
- Jane Severt
- WCFA, Executive Director
P.O. Box 70
Rhinelander, WI 54501
wcfa@frontier.com
- T. Bently Wigley, Ph.D.
- NCASI
PO Box 340317
Clemson, SC 29634-0317
wigley@clemson.edu
