for an industry that contributes 4.5 percent of the

for an industry that contributes 4.5 percent of the gross state product and 9 percent of the locally derived revenues for education each year. The forest industry employs one out of every seven Virginians involved in manufacturing. It supplies $1 out of every $8 in salary and $1 out of every $9 in value added through manufacturing.

Preventing forest fires also means protecting the total value of the forest resource which includes hunting, fishing and other recreational opportunities such as hiking, backpacking and simply enjoying the woodland. An 8-year-old girl recently summed up the fire prevention efforts by saying, “Nature gave it to us, let’s keep it.”