The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is joining partners across the country in recognizing National Forest Products Week (Oct. 18-24), highlighting how healthy, well-managed forests provide renewable wood products and support local economies. Minnesota’s 60 state forests are sustainably managed to balance ecological, economic and social benefits. For more than 20 years, the DNR’s state forest management practices have been certified under both the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) standards, reflecting a commitment to responsible forest management. As forests grow, they filter air and water, absorb and store carbon dioxide, and provide large areas of habitat for wildlife and places for humans to recreate. Forests also provide renewable forest products, contributing more than $25 billion in economic output and supporting more than 72,000 jobs across Minnesota communities. …The DNR encourages Minnesotans to choose products from sustainably managed forests. More information can be found here.