As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the
nation, our healthcare workers, first responders and essential workers are
heroically keeping the nation afloat. But there’s one underlying constant, or
force, if you will, that touches and protects us all. It’s the unsung hero: the
forest.
Trees and forests are the foundation of many essential, everyday items, a key to our health and quality of life and a backbone to our economy and workforce. And Texas has Texas A&M Forest Service, a state agency committed to the protection, conservation and restoration of this important natural resource.
Essential
products
“The forest products industry supplies basic
necessities ranging from diapers, toilet paper, paper towels, paper cups and
plates to panels, lumber, transmission poles, pallets and packaging used to
transport over 90% of all goods, foods and medical supplies so desperately
needed during these critical times,” said Rob Hughes, Executive Director of
Texas Forestry Association.
Labelled an essential industry, forestry provides the
diaper that clothes the newborn at home, the sustainable packaging for your
food, the box that contains an item ordered by a vulnerable person at home so
that they don’t risk exposure.
“Sometimes we take the essentials the forests and the
forestry industry provide for granted,” said Tom Boggus, Texas State Forester
and Director of Texas A&M Forest Service. “But we all felt its stark
absence when the shelves were empty of toilet paper.”
Beyond the everyday items, forestry also provides the framework
of protection for those on the front lines as masks and other personal
protective equipment for healthcare workers and first responders.
Economic
impact
“In turbulent markets, long-term forestland
investments are less cyclical than stocks and bonds because they serve a
diversified set of industries,” said Aaron Stottlemeyer, Texas A&M Forest
Service Forest Resource Analyst.
Including direct, indirect, and
induced impacts, the forest sector had a total economic impact of $36.7 billion
in industry output, according to Texas
A&M Forest Service’s 2019 Texas Economic Impact Report.
Every dollar generated in the sector
contributed an additional 94 cents to the rest of the state economy.
The
forest sector also supported more than 168,190 jobs; every job created in the
sector resulted in another 1.49 jobs in the state ¾ many of which are labeled as essential infrastructure workers by
the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Life-sustaining
benefits
“Texas forests also benefit society simply by
existing; they provide many life-sustaining benefits, or ecosystem services,”
said Hughes Simpson, Texas A&M Forest Service’s Forest Systems Department
Head.
“This includes regulating the climate, purifying
drinking water supplies, filtering air pollutants, providing habitat for
wildlife, and opportunities to recreate for millions of Texans. Collectively,
these services are valued at almost $93 billion annually.”
While isolation and social distancing decrease our susceptibility
to Coronavirus exposure, they may also increase stress and anxiety. One way to relieve
stress, while still practicing safe social distancing, is to get out among the
trees and forests.
Research shows exposure to forests decreases mental
fatigue by relaxing and restoring one’s mind as well as providing a sense of
security.
“This connection between trees and people is intricate,
yet powerful,” said Gretchen Riley, Texas A&M Forest Service Urban and
Community Forestry Partnership Coordinator. “Being around trees and forests
helps our minds find rest while encouraging physical engagement, all while
subtly purifying the environment.”
Forests
help us heal
The forests will continue to be with us as we heal. Trees
filter pollution out of the air that we breathe, decreasing the risk of common
respiratory illnesses. And patients with views of trees recover faster than
patients without a view of trees.
“The love of the forests is not new for most of
us. In many cases, forests are the foundation of the sense of place we
call home. Beyond pretty and place, knowing they actually make us feel better
and be better, makes trees and forests especially cherished these days,” said
Riley. “Caring for trees and forests has never been more important because they
also care for us. Healthy trees make healthy lives.”
These benefits can be found not only in a forest far,
far away. No matter where you are, the forest is with you—through COVID-19 and
beyond.
For more information about the link between health and
trees, visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/healthytreeshealthylives/.