Alabama’s forests help support livelihoods for loggers, truck drivers, mill workers and landowners across the state. Alabama Woods to Goods Week, set for Oct. 18–24, will recognize those workers and the industry’s role in the communities they call home.

Gov. Kay Ivey has proclaimed the observance for the sixth year, coinciding with National Forest Products Week.

According to the Alabama Forestry Association, forestry and forest products generate approximately $37.5 billion in total economic output for Alabama and support 123,692 jobs through the economic activity they create. The association describes forest products as the state’s second-largest manufacturing industry.

With forests covering more than two-thirds of Alabama, the industry’s reach begins with the land itself. It continues through logging operations, trucks carrying timber and mills turning that timber into products.

Woods to Goods Week gives students, public officials and other participants opportunities to learn more about that work. Planned activities include mill tours, logging site visits, children’s book donations and land management demonstrations.

The events will also highlight how Alabama’s forests are managed and the industry’s environmental and economic impact. They will recognize the contributions of foresters, landowners, mill employees and others whose work connects Alabama’s forests with markets across the country and around the world.

The Forest Workforce Training Institute, known as ForestryWorks, is a nonprofit workforce development organization working to build a pipeline of workers for the forest industry.

The Alabama Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils sponsors Woods to Goods Week. Its nine nonprofit councils work to conserve and develop natural and human resources in the communities they serve.

More information about the observance and how to participate is available at alwoodstogoods.com.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].