VOU f ElsW 77TS7SPT Where “Wood” We Be? (NAPSA}Tryto think of a day without wood. Your bed, nightstand breakfast table, morning paper, front door...getting the picture? The average American consumes some 681 poundsofforest products per year—enough wood and paper products to make up a tree 100feet tall and 18 inches in diameter. The good newsis, today’s high demand for forest products actually helps promote forest sustainability and regeneration. Each year, more than five new trees are planted for every American. The success of this and otherefforts is reflected in a recent United Nations Food and Agriculture Organi- zation’s “State of the World’s Forests” report which indicates that forest cover has increased by 20 percent in the last 30 years. Americans can celebrate this indispensable part of their lives every day, but especially during National Forest Products Week, the third full week of October. It wasoriginally set aside by Congress in 1960 to heighten awareness of the forest products industry. “I simply cannot imagine a world with no forest products,” SEE THE FOREST FOR THE TREES: Each year, more than five newtrees are planted for every American. said Steve Rountree, president of the Southeastern Lumber Manu- facturers Association. “Our society relies so heavily on the forest products industry and most in our society do not even realize it!” His organization represents independent lumber manufacturers throughout the Southeast. Members of the Association produce an average of 4.5 billion board feet of quality hardwood and softwood lumberannually.
