House recognizes Arkansas Forestry Day, lawmakers cite industry’s economic contribution

During the morning hour on Jan. 20 the Arkansas House of Representatives recognized Arkansas Forestry Day and lawmakers highlighted the size and economic contribution of the state's forestry industry.

Representative Bader used a point of personal privilege to ask Representative Wardlaw to join him in the well and to recognize Arkansas Forestry Day on Jan. 20, 2025. Speakers in the chamber read figures describing private and public forest ownership, employment and wages tied to the forest-products sector.

According to figures presented on the floor, private landowners in Arkansas own about 15,300,000 acres of forest land while roughly 3,600,000 acres are publicly owned by federal, state and other entities. Speakers said the forest-products sector supplies more than 5,000 products used in everyday life in the state, contributes approximately $7,000,000,000 in value-added economic activity, supports about 26,980 direct jobs and 54,759 total jobs, and provides roughly $1,850,000,000 in direct wages. The floor remarks also included the statement that "1 in 14 Arkansans owns forest land in this state."

Representative Bader said the Arkansas Forestry Association has served as the voice of forestry for the state's forestry community and that a resolution recognizing the association would be sent to them. Representative Board Law (as read) urged members to remember those statistics as the session proceeds and said lawmakers will introduce legislation intended to support the industry.

The recognition was ceremonial and entered on the House record during the morning hour; no formal policy action or floor vote on forestry legislation occurred in this portion of the session.