To keep or not to keep: The fate of scope 3 emissions in SEC’s climate disclosure rule

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“Given all of the pushback the agency has received over its proposed rule, particularly scope 3 reporting requirements, experts are uncertain if scope 3 will make the final cut.

When the Securities and Exchange Commission released its climate disclosure proposal in March 2022 mandating that companies describe their levels of greenhouse gas emissions and strategy toward reducing climate risk on their Form 10-K, the announcement was met with much criticism from some Republican lawmakers, industry organizations and dozens of state attorney generals.

The common denominator driving most of these complaints: a requirement for companies to disclose their scope 3 emissions — emissions that are not directly produced by the company itself or assets owned or controlled by the company, but by entities that are part of the company’s value or supply chain, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Even though corporations may not directly produce these emissions, scope 3 emissions often represent the majority of their total greenhouse gas emissions.

Since unveiling its climate disclosure rule, the SEC received over 16,000 public comments to the proposed rule, causing the agency to repeatedly postpone its release date, most recently missing an expected October release, as it reviewed these comments.

Last month, the agency revealed it plans to finalize the long-awaited rule in April 2024, but provided no further insight into what the ultimate version of this rule would entail, and whether it would include any amendments to scope 3 disclosure requirements.

Given all of the backlash, experts and some corporations doubt the requirements will make the final cut at this point.”

Quote from www.esgdive.com

Billerud keeps leading position in sustainability index for 2023

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“Billerud retains its position as one of the world’s most sustainable companies in its industry sector. This year’s results from the globally recognized Dow Jones Sustainability Indices show that Billerud continues to be one of the leading companies in the Containers & Packaging category.

The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices is based on the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), which is a comprehensive annual evaluation of corporate sustainability efforts and performance. The Dow Jones Sustainability World Index includes the top ten percent of more than 2500 publicly listed companies.

The CSA is based on an analysis of corporate governance, environmental performance, and social performance, divided into 23 categories. Billerud is among the top 10 percent in the industry in the 2023 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment.

‘I am very pleased and proud that Billerud kept its top position from last year. We have worked proactively with sustainability for many years, and we strive to constantly improve. Together with our north American operations we will continue to work with areas where we can improve even further. We want our customers to feel confident that we offer the most sustainable packaging solutions,’ says Ulrika Wedberg, EVP Sustainability & Public Affairs.”

Quote from www.papnews.com

Georgia-Pacific concludes 2023 with approximately $2 billion in capital improvements

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“Georgia-Pacific reinvested approximately $2 billion back into its business and operations in 2023. These capital improvement projects include launching and completing new facilities and enhancing existing operations. Each investment helps Georgia-Pacific better serve customers, and increase productivity and efficiency, while also creating greater economic opportunities for each facility’s local economy.

Georgia-Pacific made several investments large and small across its businesses. The projects listed below are large initiatives valued at approximately $100 million and up.

Green Bay, Wisconsin - $550 million

In November, the team at Georgia-Pacific's Broadway facility in Green Bay, Wisconsin, signed and raised the last major structural beam for the $550 million Brawny® project. Construction began in July 2022 and is expected to be completed in 2024. At the center of the investment is a new paper machine using through-air-dried (TAD) technology, which will improve the quality of products manufactured at the site by making them softer and more absorbent. The new TAD machine will produce thousands of tons of paper that will be converted into millions of cases of Brawny® paper towels and other premium private-label brands.

The Green Bay Broadway mill currently operates seven paper machines and several converting operations to make bath tissue, paper towels, napkins, and facial tissue for retail and away-from-home use. This investment will significantly enhance the company's retail consumer towel business and expand the facility by adding approximately 600,000 square feet.

‘This truly is an investment in our customers and consumers who value the quality of our products,’ said Christian Fischer, Georgia-Pacific president and CEO. ‘We appreciate the local community, Brown County, state officials, and all of our employees’ hard work and efforts to continue making our Green Bay Broadway mill more competitive for the long term.’”

Quote from news.gp.com

Takeo packaging exhibition highlights "unique sensory properties" of Japanese paper

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“Examples of practical and playful paper packaging were presented at this exhibition curated by designer Makoto Umebara as part of the Takeo Paper Show in Tokyo, Japan.

The exhibition was organised by Takeo Co, a specialist paper trading company established in 1899.

Since 1965, Takeo has presented an annual showcase of paper that explores the material's meaning and value through collaborations with leading designers.

This 49th edition of the Takeo Paper Show occupied two floors of the Kanda Square Hall exhibition venue near the company's Mihoncho Honten store.

Titled 'Packaging: Function and Laughter', the exhibition was divided into two main sections, with simple scenography by graphic designer Kenya Hara helping to differentiate each part.

The first section focused on the functional possibilities of paper, as well as examining how its use is evolving in response to technological advancements in areas such as printing and transportation.

‘In today's world, in which new light is being directed to paper as a material, not only as a substitute for plastic, this exhibition asks that we pay attention to, what forms will emerge from these organic fibres, and what new value is created,’ said Takeo Co.

Curator Umebara selected projects by 13 designers and studios that highlighted innovative uses for paper in packaging, including a series of mechanical paper sculptures by graphic designer Masaya Ishikawa and artist and engineer Hiroaki Nakaji.”

Quote from www.dezeen.com

Dept. of Natural Resources: Badger Corrugating Company joins DNR’s Green Tier program

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“The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that Badger Corrugating Company (Badger) has joined the state’s Green Tier program as a Tier 1 participant. Badger’s Tier 1 status affirms its commitment to sustainability and desire to develop plans for continuous environmental improvement.

Green Tier is a voluntary program for businesses, local governments and organizations already on the path to sustainability and want support achieving even more. Tier 1 of the program encourages, recognizes and rewards companies committed to superior environmental performance.

As part of its Tier 1 commitment, Badger will develop and implement an environmental management system to improve its overall environmental impacts in the coming year.

‘The department is excited to begin this partnership with Badger,’ said Dan Baumann, DNR Secretary’s Director for West-Central Wisconsin. ‘Badger is demonstrating their leadership and commitment to doing the right thing for our environment by embarking on this journey with Green Tier. The department looks forward to working with them as they leverage their environmental management system’s economic and environmental benefits to improve their footprint.’

Badger is a family and employee-owned company in its fifth generation of ownership. The company started as a fabricator of metal building products such as ventilators, stock tanks and products for the heating and metal building trades.

Over the past 120 years, Badger has evolved into a full-line distributor of interior and exterior millwork, cabinets and building products for residential and commercial projects. The company is committed to continuous improvement and seeks to reduce waste generation and transition to more sustainable manufacturing practices, like using water-based products instead of solvents in its operations.

‘Badger is committed to improving our environmental performance. We are excited to partner with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and participate in the Green Tier program to increase our efficiency, give more visibility to our efforts and strategically choose our next goals to make our business more sustainable and resilient,’ said Jake Highum, Quality Specialist at Badger.

More information about Green Tier and Badger Corrugating Company’s participation is available online.”

Quote from www.wisbusiness.com

The Final Pieces of the New Brawny® Machine Make a Grand Entrance in Green Bay

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The centerpieces of Georgia-Pacific's $550 million Brawny® project recently arrived in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Delivered via barge on the Fox River, the massive equipment - a Yankee dryer and two through air-dried (TAD) dryers - marked a significant milestone for the ongoing expansion.

The Yankee dryer, weighing about 330,000 pounds, set sail from Sweden in September where it was manufactured by Valmet. It reached Milwaukee in October and was loaded onto a barge along with the TAD dryers before finally arriving in Green Bay in early December.

“The arrival of the Yankee and TAD dryers is a big milestone for a project that began in 2022,” said Dean Wesolowski, operations manager for the expansion. “Given this, we expect to start up the new paper machine sometime during the first half of 2024.”

Green Bay Broadway primarily produces recycled tissue products that are used away from home, such as at restaurants, offices, universities, sports venues, airports, and other locations. The cutting-edge TAD machine is poised to generate thousands of tons of paper, to convert into millions of cases of Brawny® paper towels and other exclusive private-label brands.

The TAD machine uses a process where hot air enhances the softness and absorbency of the paper web, which is a vital component for producing premium paper products.

In October, the team raised the last major structural beam for the project which spans roughly 600,000 square feet. Close to 150 new jobs will be added due to the expansion bringing Broadway’s total manufacturing workforce to about 1,000 employees. The location currently operates seven paper machines and several converting operations.

"This truly is an investment in our customers and consumers who value the quality of our products,” said Christian Fischer, Georgia-Pacific president and CEO. “We appreciate the local community, Brown County, state officials, and all of our employees’ hard work and efforts to continue making our Green Bay Broadway mill more competitive for the long term.”

Quote from news.gp.com

Alliant Energy announces Wautoma Solar Project now complete

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“Alliant Energy announced the successful completion of its Wautoma Solar Project, a significant milestone in the company's transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions. The 99-megawatt (MW) solar array, in the Waushara County town of Dakota and city of Wautoma, is a cost-effective generating facility that spans 624 acres and consists of nearly 240,000 solar panels. It can produce enough energy to power approximately 26,000 homes annually.

‘The completion of this project is a major accomplishment that will deliver safe, reliable, cost-effective energy to our customers for decades,’ said Ben Lipari, assistant vice president of resource development at Alliant Energy. ‘This project has been, and will continue to be, a collaborative effort with our participating landowners, local officials and the broader Waushara County community. A unique aspect of our project design included the repurposing of land at the Wautoma airport, which allowed us to diversify the project layout and maximize the value of underutilized land. Our development and construction of this project demonstrated our core values to ‘Act for tomorrow’ and ‘Make things better.’’

Using only sunlight for fuel, the state-of-the-art solar array automatically tracks the movement of the sun to maximize energy generation. On-site weather sensors enable the system to adjust quickly to changing conditions. The durable, high-performance bi-facial panels can also be rotated remotely to protect against high winds, snow or hail.

Construction on the project began in July 2022 and employed nearly 150 carpenters, electricians, operating engineers and laborers. Over 80% of the workforce was Wisconsin-based. That kept project dollars in the community to maximize the local economic benefits of the project.

‘Alliant Energy’s use of local contractors and the skilled craftsmanship of workers hired through local union halls ensured this project was completed safely, cost effectively and on time,’ said Ted Gumieny, executive director of Northeastern Wisconsin Building Trades. ‘Logging over 210,000 hours work without a single lost-time accident speaks to the importance of safety and the skill that local union workers contributed to this project. The Wautoma Solar Project is a high-quality site that Alliant Energy’s customers and the community can all be proud of.’

In addition to generating clean, zero-fuel-cost electricity for Alliant Energy customers, the Wautoma Solar Project delivers long-term economic and financial benefits to the town of Dakota, city of Wautoma and Waushara County. The county and local communities are expected to receive a combined $12 million in new shared revenue over the 30-year life of the project. Local officials can choose to use the funds to support schools, workforce development efforts, road improvements and other public services.

The Wautoma Solar Project is one of 12 utility-scale solar projects Alliant Energy has advanced as part of its Clean Energy Blueprint to deliver greater energy reliability, sustainability and customer value. This increasingly diverse and resilient energy portfolio, combined with recently approved battery energy storage systems, is a major step for the company as it works toward its aspirational goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from utility operations by 2050.”

Quote from www.alliantenergy.com

Georgia-Pacific utilizes artificial intelligence to create safer and more efficient facilities

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“Georgia-Pacific constantly seeks new business efficiencies and tools to transform itself, as well as meet the needs of its customers and ensure employee health and safety. Georgia-Pacific's Technology Group facilitates collaboration between our sites, subject matter experts and the latest technologies to help more than 100 of the company’s facilities address equipment and process reliability. A part of the Technology Group, the Collaboration and Support Center (CSC) is where the company leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to create innovative solutions. AI is used to detect anomalies and pinpoint the cause in equipment, predicting a failure days, weeks, or months in advance before it happens. The information helps avoid unplanned downtime and significant impacts on the facilities and the customers they serve.

Georgia-Pacific also enlists external partners to be a part of this transformation. Through its partnership with KCF Technologies a technology company that develops sensors that can be attached to equipment to monitor them, Georgia-Pacific's CSC can review the data collected by the sensors to ensure reliable machine and process operations. The data is analyzed in real time and allows employees at the facilities to quickly find and fix equipment failures, and share vital information across facilities, allowing for greater productivity and safer work environments.

In 2018, Georgia-Pacific began its partnership with KCF Technologies. Over the course of five years, Georgia-Pacific has scaled to more than 62,000 sensors monitoring 25,000 assets globally across its locations.

‘Our collaboration with Georgia-Pacific goes beyond just sensor installations; it embodies impactful innovation at scale. Together, we have made major strides in significantly decreasing unplanned downtime, enhancing safety for the maintenance teams, and democratizing data throughout the organization. Through this partnership, Georgia-Pacific has set a new, higher standard in the global industry, showcasing the extraordinary results achievable with their vision and dedication to continuous improvement,’ said CEO and co-founder of KCF, Jeremy Frank.

The information collected also allows employees to build a data history, which can be shared to help make better informed business decisions. Georgia-Pacific's competitive advantage has increased significantly due to greater equipment efficiency and safer work environments for employees who do not have to approach machinery to identify problems.”

Quote from news.gp.com

Körber's Business Area Tissue's facility to see increase in production after acquisition, new owners says

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“A Finnish technology company recently acquired Körber's Business Area Tissue, including its Wisconsin location.

The agreement was announced in July and completed in early November, according to a news release from Valmet.

The company recently celebrated the newly-created Valmet Tissue Converting business unit at the Wisconsin facility, 3060 S. Ridge Road. The facility has a Green Bay address, but is actually located in Ashwaubenon.

‘The acquisition signifies Valmet's commitment to providing comprehensive solutions for its customers, but also to investing in the local Green Bay community,’ the company said. ‘Production at the Green Bay facility will increase as a result of the additional Valmet technology.’

About 100 people work at the location. Valmet did not respond to a question from the Green Bay Press-Gazette about whether increased production could lead to more jobs.

The acquisition ‘marks the beginning of an important new chapter in our history, and we are very excited to be joining Valmet,’ Oswaldo Cruz Jr., head of Valmet's Tissue Converting business unit, said in a statement.

Pasi Laine, Valmet's president and CEO, said the move ‘is a good strategic fit and complements Valmet’s tissue making offering with strong expertise and complete solutions from tissue converting to packaging.’”

Quote from Appleton Post-Crescent

https://phys.org/news/2023-12-pulp-mill-soil-win-win-environment.html

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“Pulp mill waste destined for the landfill could instead be useful as an organic fertilizer that can help reduce the environmental impact of using conventional fertilizers while improving soil and tree growth, University of Alberta research shows.

A two-year study conducted on a hybrid poplar tree plantation in northern Alberta showed that compared with using conventional fertilizers alone, adding biosolids—wood and other fibers left over from pulp and paper production—reduced harmful greenhouse gas emissions from the soil.

Combining biosolids and conventional fertilizer also improved soil fertility, the study showed.

The findings provide new insight into what effect biosolids could have if they were redirected for use on tree plantations that feed the forest industry, says Scott Chang, the study's lead author and a professor in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences.

Conventional fertilizer, containing industrially produced urea, has been shown to stimulate greenhouse gas emissions from soil—particularly nitrous oxide, a significant contributor to global warming. Though pulp mill biosolids are generally rich in organic content and low in toxicity, it wasn't known how they might also have an effect, he says.

He notes that the study results show the potential for developing a "win-win strategy" in managing pulp mill waste.

‘Repurposing biosolids as an organic fertilizer, which may help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, could improve the sustainability of the pulp and paper industry.’”

Quote from phys.org

Fox River Study Group recognizes Geosyntec for exemplary work in the Fox River Implementation Plan

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“Released in 2015, the Fox River Implementation Plan (FRIP) provides a step-by-step process to address water quality impairments to the Fox River watershed. The FRIP continues to be updated periodically, most recently in 2022, and will be updated again in ten years.

The FRSG is a diverse coalition of stakeholders using science to guide the region toward a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful Fox River. They use research, data, and teamwork to support sustainable policies and developments across the Fox River watershed. FRSG hired Geosyntec to develop an update to the FRIP. As part of the update, Geosyntec designed and calibrated a linked modeling framework consisting of a watershed and instream model. Our practitioners used the linked modeling framework to evaluate watershed-based scenarios to eliminate impairments in the Fox River. Our engineers then developed an implementation plan and schedule for the recommended strategies, and they continue to work closely with the FRSG modeling subcommittee.”

Quote from www.geosyntec.com

Baisch Engineering celebrates 65 years of business

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“Being located in the heart of the ‘Paper Valley,’ it seems fitting Baisch Engineering – which is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2023 – got its start rooted in the paper industry.

Baisch Engineering was founded in 1958 by Steve Baisch, who at the time, served as the chief engineer for a local paper company, having the responsibility of installing several paper machines and maintaining a wood yard.

Current company President Todd Van Gompel said through his work, he saw the need for an engineering firm that specialized in the pulp and paper industry combined with an easy-to-work-with, flexible operating style.

‘Steve would often start projects with just a handshake,’ he said.

Engineering during this period, Van Gompel said, was done manually – completing engineering drawings on paper, vellum, mylar and other materials, using pencils, pens, rulers, T-squares, erasers and a host of other tools.

Drawings were done on drafting boards, and drafting machines were used to combine manual drawing boards into an integrated drawing.

As innovation and technology seeped into the engineering industry over the years, Van Gompel said Baisch has always been on the cusp of technological advancement, which in turn expanded the firm’s capabilities.”

Quote from thebusinessnews.com

Valmet: Sustainability in the tissue industry

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“Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face, and we can already see its effect on people and the environment. In this context, it is important to highlight the many promising initiatives and the willingness to make a difference.

Energy crises, water scarcity and the rising cost of raw materials – these topics are being discussed daily among tissue producers around the world. Are we prepared for what is coming? Are we being sufficiently innovative to meet tomorrow’s challenges? Are we moving fast enough to slow down climate change? And how can my business stay profitable in these circumstances? When these questions arise, it’s important to remember that there are many ways to contribute. Working together and sharing experiences and expertise give us a great starting point for change.

Valmet has worked with these topics for years, collaborating with customers and experts in the field, and we are now seeing significant results in the reduction of our environmental footprint. In this article, we share experts’ and producers’ voices to discover what is on the tissue industry’s horizon.”

Quote from papermart.in

Billerud is developing a sustainable forest machine for the future

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“The Swedish forestry industry joins forces in a unique project to be able to conduct a more gentle forestry. Billerud, Komatsu Forest and the entire forestry industry are jointly investigating the possibility of developing a machine that, with low ground pressure, provides less ground impact in the forest and better operator comfort. The machine should also provide increased productivity and a more even flow of wood to the industry seen over the year. The project has been named Centipede.

The development work with the Centipede forestry machine is in a test phase, where the machine is being tested by all eight forest companies participating in the project. Recently, it was Billerud's turn to test the machine where John Samuelsson was responsible for carrying out the test runs. John works with business development at Billerud and sits on the reference group for Centipede. The test drivers were Kurt Zetterberg and Erik Engstrand, two of Billerud's contractors who had undergone training to drive the Centipede.

In order to maximize the three-week test period, the machine was driven in shifts on two different felling tracts, in Tierp and Årsunda.

‘The areas had different characteristics, which meant that we had to test Centipede on several types of ground conditions. In Tierp it was lowland with weak bearing capacity, where the timber would be driven out of former arable land, and in Årsunda it was normal forest land of a more average character. It resulted in us being able to test how versatile the machine was,’ says John.

In Tierp, the large amounts of rain created tough conditions.

‘The ground was already saturated and with a normal machine it would not have been possible to drive under these conditions,’ says John. ‘But with this one it was possible to get the wood out, even if we couldn't run full loads all the time.’

Developing a machine that is gentle on the ground and does not cause driving injuries is one of the main goals of the project.

‘Centipede runs on rubber bands and it has a fantastic carrying capacity, which creates opportunities for shooting for most of the year. It is also less sensitive to weather compared to a traditional wheeled forwarder.’"

Quote from www.billerud.com

Green Bay Packaging looks to move and expand its regional headquarters in Germantown

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“The village of Germantown will be adding another development in its fastest-growing development area.

Green Bay Packaging — a paper company that makes shipping containers, cartons and label products — is set to build a new regional corporate headquarters to replace its current facility in Germantown.

The proposed 233,450-square-foot corporate office and light manufacturing facility will include a 20,000-square-foot office area, according to village documents.

Green Bay Packaging is currently at N11393 W190 Carnegie Drive in Germantown and leases 150,000 square feet in four buildings.

The company wants to construct its own facility to address the "inefficiency of operating out of four separate buildings," according to village documents.

The 52.7-acre development is slated to be on the northeast corner of the Holy Hill Road and Interstate 41 interchange in the Holy Hill Gateway District. Village Administrator Steve Kreklow said this area is a fast-growing development in the Germantown area.

The village board approved the rezoning and land use plan amendment to allow this construction at its Nov. 20 board meeting.

Kreklow said that before the addition to the Green Bay Packaging building, there are a total of 15 buildings built or in development with more than 2.5 million square feet of industrial development in that area.

Officials at Green Bay Packaging estimate that their $60 million investment and $35 million real estate value will bring in more than $500,000 in annual property tax revenue, according to village documents.

Green Bay Packaging has been in the Germantown community for more than 50 years and in Wisconsin for 90 years, according to village documents.

The company plans to break ground for this new building in the spring of 2024 with the building to be completed and functional in the spring of 2025.”

Quote from www.yahoo.com

How U.S. EPA’s new Environmental Justice Initiative impacts manufacturing operations

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“What Is Environmental Justice?

The Environmental Justice Initiative seeks to ensure that all Americans—regardless of race, color, national origin, or income—receive fair treatment and have meaningful involvement with respect to development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Since President Clinton’s issuance of Executive Order 12898 to address Environmental Justice, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“U.S. EPA”) has undertaken only limited steps to further the Initiative—at least, until now.

A New Federal Focus on Environmental Justice

In 2023, the Biden Administration gave new teeth to the Environmental Justice Initiative. In April, President Biden issued Executive Order 14096 on ‘Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All,’ proposing a ‘whole of government’ approach to Environmental Justice. In August, U.S. EPA released an implementation plan for Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, committing to an increased focus on facilities in Environmental Justice communities, as well as enhanced efforts to address Environmental Justice in enforcement actions. On November 15, the agency published a notice in the Federal Register seeking comment on draft guidance that, as proposed, would explicitly require Environmental Justice considerations in regulatory analyses, including for certain permits required to expand or maintain manufacturing operations. For example, the guidance aims to incorporate Environmental Justice concerns into Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act permit decision-making processes.”

Quote from www.foley.com

Total Package: UW-Stout students earn two firsts, third in International Sustainability Challenges

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“Is there a better way? More importantly, is there a more sustainable way?

Those were the questions at top of mind when three teams of University of Wisconsin-Stout students entered two international, industry-sponsored packaging competitions that challenged their technical and design skills — and visions for the future.

Turns out UW-Stout had the whole package, winning and taking a third place recently in the Paperboard Packaging Alliance student competition in San Diego and winning the International Molded Fiber Association challenge in Scottsdale, Ariz.

They did it by creating new, sustainable solutions for three consumer products — lip balm, shampoo and a desk lamp — and through cross-collaboration via seven students from five majors, including video production, graphic communications and mechanical engineering.

‘This competition taught us the paramount importance of and inherent creativity needed in substituting plastic product packaging with paperboard,’ said Starr Gong, of Altoona, a senior in graphic design and interactive media, who was on the PPA third-place team. ‘It's not just a design choice but a commitment to sustainability and a greener future. The experience has heightened our awareness of the environmental impact of packaging choices in today's world.’

Ethan Myers, of Kenosha, a senior majoring in packaging who was on the winning PPA team, agreed. ‘Sustainability is growing more and more every day, and being able to work with it is vital to finding success in the field of packaging.’”

Quote from whattheythink.com

Sponsorship opportunuties now open for the return of Forest Fest

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EAGLE RIVER, WI—Trees For Tomorrow (TFT) is thrilled to announce the return of Forest Fest in 2024, scheduled to take place on July 27th. In anticipation of this momentous occasion, TFT is actively seeking sponsors who share their commitment to environmental education and sustainable forestry practices.

The 10th Annual Forest Fest is poised to be a landmark event, bringing together industry professionals, educators, community members, and environmentally-conscious individuals.

"As Forest Fest returns after a four-year hiatus, we are fueled by a renewed commitment from our supporters and industry partners," said Cheryl Todea, TFT's executive director. "We are excited to invite sponsors to join us on this journey, as their support is instrumental in bringing Forest Fest back to life and ensuring its success for the benefit of our communities and the environment."

Forest Fest will continue to be a free fun family event featuring a series of engaging activities, including:

  • Demonstrations of Large-Scale Forestry Equipment: Industry experts will showcase heavy forestry equipment, providing attendees with a firsthand look.

  • Educational Exhibitors: A diverse array of educational exhibitors will be on hand to share valuable information about forestry conservation, habitat restoration, wildlife and the importance of preserving our natural resources.

  • Children's Activities: Nurture the next generation of environmental stewards through specially curated nature-based hands-on learning opportunities just for children.

  • So much more: Guests can enjoy a ride on a horse drawn wagon, enjoy a lumberjack lunch on the lawn, and check out the art vendors.

This celebration is more than just an event; it is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of our planet. There are many levels of sponsorships to choose from starting at $500. By supporting Forest Fest, sponsors will play a crucial role in advancing environmental awareness, fostering sustainable practices, and inspiring positive change within our communities.

For sponsorship opportunities and inquiries, please contact TFT Executive Director at (715) 479-6456 ext. 22 or ctodea@treesfortomorrow.com.

Demonstrators, exhibitors, volunteers and participants can find additional information at www.TreesForTomorrow.com/Forest-Fest/ or contact TFT Operations Manager Mandy Gingerich at ext. 228 or mandy@treesfortomorrow.com.

Trees For Tomorrow’s campus, located in Eagle River, Wisconsin, includes National Forest property under permit from the USDA Forest Service. Private property owned by Trees For Tomorrow (TFT), the Wisconsin Newspaper Association and Tara Lila LLC are also utilized for education and outreach purposes. TFT is an accredited nonprofit environmental center specializing in overnight environmental education programs for K-12 school groups with facilities that include dormitories, a full-service dining hall, and classrooms. Trees for Tomorrow annually serves 14,000 youth and adults with the mission to promote sustainable management of our natural resources through transformative educational experiences.

Corrugated — The Smart, Sensible Choice That Comes From Nature

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“Head to the produce section of any grocery store and you’re likely to find roughly 200 different types of fruits and vegetables. From nature’s tiniest gems (blueberries) to its most robust (watermelon), each item found in the produce section has its own unique way of being grown and harvested to safeguard its viability. So once it’s grown and harvested, packaging plays a vitally important role in protection.

From farm to fork, corrugated is and always will be the smart, sustainable choice for packaging produce. Corrugated has been around for 200+ years. Its longevity can easily be attributed to its strength, its flexibility, its efficiency and its effectiveness. Corrugated is an ideal solution for produce packaging. Aside from being the most sustainable option available, here are five additional reasons corrugated is an excellent choice for produce protection.”

Quote from www.packagingcorp.com