As the rural forestry coordinator for the Kansas Forest Service, Bob Atchison has a broad perspective toward the state’s 5.2 million acres of forest land. “Healthy forests, woodlands and windbreaks are as important to our national infrastructure as roads and bridges,” Atchison said. “The jobs and products they produce are worth protecting.”
In Kansas, 95 percent of forest land is privately owned. It’s why Atchison and others connected to the state’s forest service spent much of the past three years drafting an action plan to help educate families, and support them in protecting this natural resource.
The Kansas Forest Action Plan is part of an effort headed by the National Association of State Foresters and the U.S. Forest Service to manage and maintain the country’s 423 million acres of private forests, and 100 million acres of urban forests.
Atchison noted that there are three types of forests in Kansas: agroforests that include windbreaks and streamside trees that surround croplands; community or urban forests that line main streets, parks and yards in local communities; and the rural forests and woodlands located primarily in the eastern third of Kansas.
These forests are crucial for everyday life, he said, because trees and other woodlands can filter air and water, making them safer for humans. But they also contribute to quality of life because they provide recreational opportunities and even a nice place to relax in the shade. Plus, it is estimated that forestry-related businesses contribute $1.3 billion to the state’s economy, and support more than 6,700 jobs.
From Kansas First News: https://www.kansasfirstnews.com/2013/06/24/kansas-forest-service-launches-plan-to-preserve-1-3b-industry/