• West Virginia is the third most forested state in the nation.
• The total forested area of West Virginia is 11.9 million acres.
• West Virginia's forest products industry supports 20,000 employees.
• The forest products industry contributes $2.1 billion annually to West Virginia's economy.
• The forest products industry owns 7% of West Virginia's forest land. Individuals own 58%, government 10%, and farmers 5%.
• Annual tree growth exceeds tree removals due to harvesting, insect and fire damage, and conversion of forest land to other uses.
• West Virginia's regulations for logging and harvesting practices are among the most stringent in the region.
• Trees are West Virginia's only renewable natural resource.
• A toll-free number (1-888-372-WOOD) has been established by the West Virginia Forestry Association to answer questions about forestry.
• There are 1,477 forest fires annually in West Virginia that burn approximately 107,000 acres.

(Information provided by The Fundamental Facts of West Virginia Forestry, published by the West Virginia Forestry Association, 1997)

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