Multiple land management agencies and forest product industry representatives are teaming together to celebrate the Montana Forest Products Industry Week on Saturday, Oct. 13. The event takes place at Western Building Centers in Columbia Falls.
There will be an open-house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when people can visit with local wood product vendors, land managers and industry representatives and learn about the forest products industry’s role in creating jobs, sustaining forest communities, and managing forests. Some of the machinery used in forest products industry will be on display, including log trucks, lumber handling machinery and logging machinery.
At 11 a.m. there will be presentations from local industry and community leaders. County Commissioner Cal Scott will begin the presentations with a reading of the county resolution supporting the Montana Forest Products Industry Week. Representatives of the State’s Congressional Delegation will also be on hand.
Montana’s forest products industry provides the workforce for trail restoration, wildlife habitat enhancement, forest and riparian restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, fire suppression and many other activities. Roughly 7,000 jobs in the state are connected to the forest products industry.
To thank the community for their support, there will also be hourly give-aways and free burgers and hotdogs.