Gene Kodama

Throughout my 40-plus year professional forester career serving in both the public and private spheres, I’ve come to view forestry as an “ideal” business sector. That’s because good forestry conserves the whole range of environmental, social and economic forest values. Sustainable forest management ensures that a forest’s soil, air and water quality, wildlife habitat and recreational values are protected over the long term. Sustainable forest management also provides well-paying jobs that strengthen communities through the sustainable production of timber and other forest products. In addition, the South Carolina Forestry Commission has taken a lead role in demonstrating sustainable forest management. Since 2013, the agency’s five state forests have been certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard and the American Tree Farm System.