By Anna Morgan Duke

Alabama will celebrate Woods to Goods Week, Oct. 20 – 26. The week-long celebration aims to promote the state’s forest products industry’s professionals, resources, companies and environmental and economic impact. Gov. Kay Ivey plans to proclaim the third week in October as Alabama Woods to Goods  Week to coincide with National Forest Products Week. 

The forest and forest-products industry contributes more than $36 billion to Alabama’s economy  and is more than just an industry to the 123,624 Alabamians who are employed as a result of the  economic activity it generates.  

Alabama’s Woods to Goods Week is a promotional event to celebrate the state’s second largest manufacturing industry and the impact of the industry’s loggers, truck drivers, mill owners, mill employees, landowners, foresters and the many others who dedicate their lives to the forest industry. These individuals make an impact not only in their local communities, but also statewide, nationally and around the world.  

Celebrations will include mill tours, log site visits, children’s book donations, ecosystem and  land management demonstrations and many other educational events from students to public officials to participate in to highlight the industry’s environmental, community and economic impact.  

To learn more about Alabama Woods to Goods Week and how you can participate visit,  www.alwoodstogoods.com.  

The Alabama Forestry Association represents Alabama’s forestry community with membership  that includes forest products manufacturers, landowners, loggers, wood dealers, foresters,  consultants, and others involved in forestry. AFA is dedicated to protecting and improving the 

business, regulatory and legal environment for landowners and forest business owners to ensure  the sustainable growth of Alabama’s forests and forest industry.  

Forests cover more than two-thirds of the state and provide the raw material for Alabama’s  second largest manufacturing industry. Forestry provides a 36.3 billion dollar total economic  output to the state’s economy. To learn more, visit: https://www.alaforestry.org/.  

The Forest Workforce Training Institute, ForestryWorks®, is a nonprofit workforce development  organization creating a sustainable pipeline of workers for the forest industry for generations to  come. To learn more, visit: https://www.forestryworks.com 

The Alabama Association of RC&D Councils is made up of nine non-profit Councils that depend  on the leadership, abilities and unique skills of the individuals within the communities they  serve. The high level of volunteer commitment and credibility has made RC&D one of the most  successful delivery systems in Alabama. RC&D Councils are dedicated to conserving, enhancing, and developing Alabama’s natural and human resources, making Alabama a better  place to live, work and play.