Working forests are timberland that has been carefully managed to provide a steady, renewable supply of wood for lumber, energy, paper and packaging, or more than 5,000 items that consumers use every day.
Working forests can be either privately or publicly owned.
Private working forests are owned by individuals, families, small and large businesses, and an increasing number of Americans who invest in working forests for retirement. There are about 360 million acres of private working forests in the U.S., accounting for nearly half (47%) of our total forestland.
Public working forests are owned by local, state, and federal governments, conservation organizations, and other public entities. In addition to providing timber resources, these lands are often used for public recreation, wildlife habitat, and environmental protection.
Working forests are an important part of the total forest resources in the U.S. All forests provide value, and differing forest types can maximize the economic and environmental benefits forests provide on a large scale.