Sponsored by the Michigan Forest Association and Michigan State University Extension

Essays to Consider When Learning About Forestry

Many times, a context or frame-of-reference must be established to better appreciate information presented to us. The following four essays provide illuminating perspectives about forests, forestry, and wood products that do not often effectively surface in enviromental debates. Every once in awhile, an author scribes an article that trancends political trends and popular media. These essays are samples of those sort of writings that help us set back and say "ah . . . now that makes sense."

Dr. Jim Bowyer, University of Minnesota, writes authoritatively about the wisdom of using products made from wood, especially in comparision to products made from other common raw materials such as metal, concrete, and plastic. His reasoning and science are compelling.    (53 kb pdf file)

Dr. W.C. Lowdermilk, former assistant chief of the Soil Conservation Service, toured a number of regions throughout the world researching and observing countries where agriculture has been practiced for hundreds (or thousands) of years. The role of natural systems, especially soils and forests, becomes clearly pivotal in the success and failure of cultures and economies.     (2.7 mb pdf file)

Dr. Patrick Moore, an environmentalist from Greenspirit [http://www.greenspirit.com/home.cfm], was one of the founders of Greenpeace. He has grown into an advocate of forests and forest management for sound environmental reasons and has a clever, and sometimes provocative, way of exposing some of the myths about forestry.     (60 kb pdf file)

Don Smith, Connecticut State Forester, spoke at the National Association of State Foresters meeting in 2005. He stepped away from the usual reports and presentations and offered a historical perspective with a philosophical blend, and challenged society to recognize a natural resource that we, far too often, take for granted.     (43 kb pdf file)

Of course, there are many other essays and books along these lines. For example, anyone interested in natural resource management, especially forestry and wildlife, should read Aldo Leopold's book "A Sand County Almanac." The almanac portion of the book provides rich and eloquent reading. The latter essays speak more to conservation, environmental ethics, and challenges to the natural resource profession that remain poignant over 50 years later.

TRAILER- This website was created by a consortium of forestry groups to help streamline information about forestry and coordinate forestry activities designed to benefit the family forest owner and various publics that make up our Michigan citizenry. This website is maintained by Bill Cook, Michigan State Extension Forester/Biologist. Direct comments to cookwi@msu.edu or 906-786-1575.

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