Forest Economics
» Forest Economy
Forest Economy
Forest Related Economy of California and the United States
The forest and paper industry is one of the most diverse and economically important industries to the United States. Ranging from state-of-the-art paper mills and some 9 million individual woodlot owners, the industry employs 1.7 million people while ranking among the top ten manufacturing employers in 42 states.
The forest and paper industry, while providing society with wood and paper products vital to everyday life, also meets the expectations of Americans by serving as responsible environmental stewards--providing homes for wildlife, protecting air and water quality, and managing forests for future generations.
Ranking as one of the state's top manufacturing industries, California's forest products industry is a vital component of the state's economy. According to the 2000 census, the primary and secondary industry employs over 60,000 workers, with an annual payroll of $1.4 billion. California's paper and wood manufacturing workforce represents 4.1 percent of the state's total manufacturing workforce.
Approximately 31 percent of California is forested. Credited to regeneration and planting programs, the net annual forest growth exceeds harvests by a substantial margin.
[Source: American Forest & Paper Association]
Supporting Graphs
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Total U.S. Paper and Paperboard Consumption, 1960-1999, with projections from 2010 to 2050
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National Forest Timber Sale Revenues & Expenses
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Value of California Timber Harvest Volumes
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