Woodlands: From forest stewardship to fiber selection

Woodlands: From forest stewardship to fiber selection
Prefer to watch rather than read the Woodlands chapter? Check out the video above.

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A forest resource like no other

Stretching across Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, the Lake States are home to some of the most diverse and productive forests in North America. A rich mix of hardwoods and softwoods—including maple, birch, aspen, spruce, fir and pine—creates a resilient forest ecosystem and an exceptional renewable fiber resource.

These forests are also deeply connected to the people who live, work and play here. Much of the region’s forestland is owned by families and private landowners, while millions of acres provide habitat, clean water, recreation and economic opportunity. With many native tree species regenerating naturally after harvest, active forest management helps maintain healthy forests while supporting a continuous cycle of growth, renewal and responsible use.

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Responsible land management

Responsible land management recognizes that forests are long-term assets that require thoughtful care. Decisions made today can influence the health and productivity of a forest decades into the future. Managing forests responsibly means protecting waterways, preserving wildlife habitat, minimizing soil disturbance and maintaining biodiversity.

By taking a long-term view, land managers help ensure forests continue to provide environmental, social and economic benefits while remaining productive sources of renewable fiber.

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Todd Proctor, Fiber Supply Manager at our Quinnesec Mill in Michigan, talks with pride and passion about modern forestry at Billerud—certification leadership, walking the walk, thinking about future generations and loving the woods.

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Sustainable forestry practices

Sustainable forestry is built on a simple principle: harvest no more than the forest can naturally replace. Through careful planning, selective harvesting, natural regeneration and replanting, forests can provide renewable resources while remaining healthy, diverse and productive.

Across North America, forest growth continues to exceed annual harvest levels. Science-based management and long-term stewardship help maintain this balance—supporting healthy forests, wildlife habitat and recreation while providing a renewable source of wood and fiber for future generations.

Certification systems

Independent certification programs provide assurance that forests are managed according to rigorous environmental, social, and economic standards. Organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council^® (FSC^®), Sustainable Forestry Initiative^® (SFI^®) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) establish frameworks for responsible forestry practices.

These certification systems help ensure that fiber comes from responsibly managed forests while providing transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain. They also give consumers and businesses confidence that the products they purchase support sustainable forest management.

Environmental stewardship and biodiversity

Healthy forests support an extraordinary diversity of plant and animal life. Responsible forest management protects sensitive habitats, maintains species diversity and preserves ecological balance across the landscape.

Environmental stewardship extends beyond trees. It includes protecting wetlands and waterways, maintaining wildlife corridors, conserving soil resources and supporting the complex relationships that allow forest ecosystems to thrive. A healthy forest is measured not only by the trees it produces, but by the life it supports.

Reforestation and carbon impact

Trees play a critical role in the global carbon cycle. As they grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store carbon within their wood, roots and surrounding soil. This process helps reduce greenhouse gases while creating renewable raw materials.

Reforestation ensures that harvested forests continue this cycle. Through natural regeneration and active planting programs, new generations of trees replace those that are harvested, helping maintain healthy forests that continue to capture carbon and provide environmental benefits for decades to come. When harvested wood is used in long-lived products such as lumber and building materials, much of that carbon remains stored for decades or even longer, extending carbon storage beyond the forest and into the built environment.