Ticks have made headlines in recent years with seven new tick-borne pathogens having been discovered in the U.S. since 2004.  The latest is called Powassan, named after the municipality in Ontario where the illness was first identified in 1958.

In 1999, New England and New York had 17 operating pulp and paper mills. Today, there are six. Much has been written about the loss of these markets and why they disappeared. That is not today’s discussion.

WSRI just held its nineteenth annual meeting in Charleston, SC. WSRI celebrates its longevity, its long list of projects seeking to expose opportunities for efficiency in the supply chain, and the personal industry connections they help to facilitate.

Most individuals connected to forestry know about the historical demise of the American chestnut, once considered the king tree of the eastern forest. Most are also aware of the long-term research and slow progress being made toward developing timber-quality chestnut trees.

The forest products industry is a very capital-intensive industry requiring large investments in infrastructure, buildings and equipment. For any business to make such investments, there must be a high degree of confidence the venture will be successful. It is therefore very encouraging to see some of the capital investments currently underway in the Lake States Region, as it bodes well for the health of the region’s forests and rural communities.