Report underscores the importance of forests & forest landowner education to N.H. economy

New Hampshire's State Forester, Brad Simpkins, recently announced the release of The Economic Importance of New Hampshire's Forest-Based Economy.

The report offers a wealth of current data on the direct economic value of New Hampshire's forests, from the percent of forests covering the state (84 percent) to the $2.3 billion impact the forest-products industry has on New Hampshire's economy, including supporting 20,000 jobs and providing the green backdrop for much of the state's tourist industry.

In 2009, landowners received $30 million in revenues from timber sales, which in turn, generated $3 million in timber-tax revenues for municipalities.

"Many folks are surprised to learn that we have such a vibrant forest industry in New Hampshire or that 76 percent of the state's forest lands are privately owned," says Sarah Smith, forest industry specialist with Extension's Forestry and Wildlife Program. "Because we're so heavily forested, we tend to take our forest backdrop for granted, without realizing the importance of good management to keep these lands productive and profitable."

That's where Extension's Forestry and Wildlife Program comes in.

Landowner education for good forestry

"The State of New Hampshire decided back in 1925 to turn to Cooperative Extension to do what we do best--educate," Smith says.

"Unique in the nation, this partnership enables the State Forester to rely on Extension to fulfill their legislative mandate to educate landowners, public officials, forestry and industry professionals about forest laws and the importance of good forest management."

Most of the timber cut in New Hampshire comes from the more than 124,000 private forest landholdings. However, landowners make decisions about harvesting timber and often chose not to cut trees or to harvest for other than economic reasons ­wildlife (e.g., habitat improvement, recreation ). Extension forestry and wildlife staff help landowners think strategically about their land by identifying important features of their land and encouraging them to develop a forest management plan. We refer landowners to a list of almost 300 licensed foresters who act on behalf of the landowner. Those who so chose to harvest timber also receive and provide a host of private and public benefits:

• Providing income for the landowners.


• Delivering timber-tax revenues to the town.


• Creating jobs for foresters, loggers, truckers, forestry equipment sellers.


• Providing raw materials that feed New Hampshire's forest industry


• Enhancing wildlife habitat


• Maintaining the natural landscape that sustains New Hampshire's aesthetic values and makes our state a great place to live, play and visit.


• Sustaining many other values that working forests provide, including clean air and water, aquifer recharge, and buffers against flooding

Sawmills and wood-energy plants: big economic benefits

Citing the economic-impacts report, Smith notes that about 50 sawmills operate in the state, "producing well over 150 million board feet of lumber to supply the building industry, furniture and flooring manufacturers, and cabinet makers, both within the state as well as around the world with a wide variety of species including white pine, spruce, fir, hemlock, maple, oak, birch and ash.

"New Hampshire also has seven wood-fired power plants collectively producing 150 megawatts," she adds. "Five of the power plants have been in near-continuous operation for over 20 years, providing New Hampshire residents with renewable power from the state's forests.

A recent survey by Extension and the NH Timberland Owners Association reveals that the total direct economic impact of the wood energy plants is more than $70 million dollars, "most of which are spent right here in New Hampshire," says Smith.

"New Hampshire's forests are growing faster than they are being harvested," she says, adding, "The biggest threat to our forests isn't timber harvest, but conversion to other uses such as development.

Learn more

Download the report
UNH Cooperative Extension Forestry and Wildlife Program
Forest Industry page
N.H. forest landowner profiles