Page 18 - Georgia Forestry - Issue 4 - Fall 2023

Urban Forestry Businesses Are Key Economic Drivers
Forestry companies provide a pleth- ora of high-skilled job opportunities in these urban areas, attracting research- ers, engineers, administrators and other skilled forestry professionals who then invest in local services, education, hous- ing and leisure activities, strengthening the urban fabric and creating a resilient cycle of prosperity. The influx of talent and the financial contributions from these businesses create economic growth that resonates throughout their communities far beyond the forest floor — including job creation, local commerce and regional economic resilience.
In the same 2021 study, urban and community forestry — defined as a sepa- rate industry from forestry, encompass- ing jobs in nursery and tree production, landscaping services, conservation pro- gram administration, and urban plan- ning development — accounted for an additional more than 52,000 direct and indirect jobs in the metro Atlanta region.
While perceptions of the forestry indus- try have been progressively improving in part thanks to ongoing educational initia- tives that underscore its sustainability, a persistent challenge remains in educating
the public on the economic potential the industry offers to urban communities in what is generally considered a rural industry, according to Tiffanie Starr, managing director of acquisitions at Tim- berland Resource Company.
“The industry has gone a long way in improving how we communicate and educate people on the sustainability of forestry, but it’s important that people understand its economic impact, includ- ing what jobs are available in the indus- try,” said Starr. “All of us chant loudly that Georgia is the number-one forestry state in the nation, but we need to do more to educate people who live here about what that means for them personally.”
Forestry Connects Urban, Rural Communities
At first glance, urban and rural commu- nities of Georgia may appear to be worlds apart, but the forestry industry bridges the gap. Direct and indirect employ- ment opportunities account for more than 140,000 jobs in the state, includ- ing machinery operators in the forests, truckers on the roads, administrators in downtown offices, caretakers in city parks and many other opportunities within a long list of forestry-related professions.
The symbiotic relationship between the urban and rural forestry industries is most evident in the ways in which urban centers like Atlanta provide essential support to their rural counterparts while reaping the benefits of a thriving forestry industry.
“From the paper we write on to the lumber that holds up our houses, people are affected by and have a positive view of the forest products they use every day, sometimes not even realizing they are for- estry products. Sometimes, consumers need a reminder of where those products come from and that they are sustainable products,” said Starr. “We want more managed, sustainable forests right here in Georgia that provide more products and more housing in metro Atlanta. We want people in metro Atlanta to understand that by using these products, they’re sup- porting rural economies and the ecosys- tem services that those forests provide.”
Forest products permeate every facet of urban life with their inherent versatility and timeless appeal, serving as the struc- tural backbone of our infrastructure and an enduring element shaping the urban landscape. One can look around an office
“We want more managed, sustainable forests right here in Georgia that provide more products and more housing in metro Atlanta. We
want people in metro Atlanta to understand that by using these products, they’re supporting rural economies and the ecosystem services that those forests provide.” — Tiffanie Starr, Managing Director of Acquisitions,
Timberland Resource Company
16 | GEORGIA FORESTRY
COURTESY OF INTERNATIONAL PAPER