Minnesota's forests offer beauty and recreation and provide us with the raw materials for products we use every day. Forest products comprise 47 percent of all raw materials used in U.S. manufacturing. Minnesota's forest products industry has a $16.1 billion economic impact.
This holiday season, reach for wood when you're buying gifts. Why?
Wood is renewable, beautiful, and durable, which makes wood products a sound environmental choice. The harvesting of trees and production of wood products has significantly less impact on the environment than most other materials. This is because forest products can be sourced locally rather than mined, manufactured, and hauled across the country. Products made out of wood also store carbon indefinitely, keeping it out of the atmosphere and helping to mitigate climate change.
Minnesota has 23 million more large trees (19" in diameter) today than it had 60 years ago, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Wood is versatile. It is sturdy but flexible, lightweight but strong. Wood products are long-lasting and easily repairable, allowing them to be passed down to future generations.
Wooden toys are eco-friendly and built to last, making them a good investment. Many are designed to be educational and encourage imaginative play.
- Wood is a non-toxic, natural material.
- Wood toys will never run out of batteries—saving you time and money!
- Wooden building blocks or logs encourage problem-solving and fine motor skills.
You can feel good about buying wood products, knowing that well-managed forests return to forests after being harvested. According to the U.S. Forest Service, Minnesota has 23 million more large trees (19" in diameter) today than it had 60 years ago.
So put wood on your holiday shopping list. You'll not only be helping the economy, but you'll also be doing something good for the environment.
(While you're at it, consider a real Christmas tree this year. Real Christmas trees are eco-friendly, renewable, recyclable, and preserve green spaces. And if you buy one from a Minnesota Christmas Tree Farmer, you'll support a local business and keep money in Minnesota!)