The Economic Importance of New York's Forests
The Economic Importance of New York's Forests (pdf, 370 kb)
From Long Island, to Buffalo, to Plattsburgh, the trees and forests of New York provide New Yorker's and visitors alike with multiple values and amenities. These range from easily recognizable and measurable economic and recreational benefits, to benefits known as "ecological services", such as clean air, clean water, biological diversity, temperature moderation, and carbon sequestration. While New York is currently 61% forested, just 80 years ago the state contained only half this area of forest. New York has benefited immensely from this unprecedented and dramatic reforestation, while at the same time maintaining a diversity of landscape amenities such as farms, water, and other open spaces. In recent decades, economic benefits in all corners of the state have grown because the forests have grown. The increased forest supports a critically important wood products industry, as well as an increasingly active population looking for more and more recreational opportunities. This report, "The Economic Importance of New York's Forests" provides a brief overview of the vast importance of one of New York's most important assets.
