Rep. Katrina Shankland Appointed to Wisconsin Council on Forestry
STEVENS POINT- Today, Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) announced that she has been appointed by Governor Tony Evers to serve on the Wisconsin Council on Forestry. The Wisconsin Council on Forestry is comprised of leaders charged with helping direct Wisconsin’s efforts to achieve sustainable forestry by advising the governor, Legislature, Department of Natural Resources, and other state agencies on a variety of related issues, including:
- The practice of sustainable forestry, as it relates to the management of state forests
- Protection of forests from fire, insects, and disease
- Reforestation and forest genetics
- Management and protection of urban forests
- Public knowledge and awareness of forestry issues
- Forestry research
- Economic development and employment in the forestry industry
- Marketing and use of forest products
- Legislation affecting management of Wisconsin’s forest lands
- Staffing and funding needs for forestry programs conducted by the state
Rep. Shankland shared, “I am thrilled to be appointed to the Wisconsin Council on Forestry and thank Governor Evers for appointing me to serve on the council. Our forestry industry provides tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in output every year and is vital to our state’s economic success and resiliency. In fact, the forest products industry is one of the top ten industries for value-added and industry output in over 30 Wisconsin counties, including Portage County. This industry, like many others, has faced unprecedented challenges as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, recent paper mill closures, and other factors, and this is an important opportunity to help ensure that it remains strong for generations to come.
“As someone who has worked on issues affecting the paper, pulp, and forestry industry in Wisconsin, including serving as the Vice Chair of the Legislative Paper Caucus, I am looking forward to continuing supporting these industries that play a crucial role in our economy. I am also excited to leverage the many resources available in our community to further inform my role on the council. From the Wisconsin Forestry Center to the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association and LEAF, Wisconsin’s K-12 Forestry Education Program, all based at UW-Stevens Point, our community has a strong history of supporting forestry in Wisconsin and educating the public about forestry issues. I look forward to carrying on our community tradition in my role on the council.”