Billy Geier, Rayonier

My interest in forestry began when I was a young boy always spending time outdoors. Over time, I began to notice the clearing of land, and the trees not being utilized. I wanted to be involved in the proper management and utilization of this great renewable resource.

You might be aware of the essential benefits trees provide, but what you might not know is that healthy trees and working forests require active management. They are carefully managed by a group of foresters like myself, to supply sustainable timber for homes, paper, energy, and thousands of products we use in our everyday life. In addition, these working forests sequester carbon, protect water quality, and offer a habitat for many wildlife species.

At Rayonier, we plant more than 38 million seedlings each year across our portfolio. In the state of Texas, where we own and manage more than 285,000 acres of forest land, we plant over 2 million trees each year. It’s exciting to see the trees I was once responsible for planting be harvested. But our work doesn’t start and stop at planting and harvesting. Our team of foresters manages the land, implements advanced silviculture practices including fertilization, and manages any pest or disease issues. As stewards of the land, it is crucial that our management practices are focused on conservation and sustainability. At Rayonier, the sustainability of our working forests is a passion, and something that we are all proud of.

This November 3 as you plant trees to celebrate Texas Arbor Day, I also encourage you to gain a deeper understanding of how sustainable working forests impact the environment. Working forests contribute to our great state of Texas by:

1. Providing jobs to the community - From field foresters to loggers to truck drivers, working forests provide employment opportunities to the local community. The latest economic study by Texas A&M Forest Service shows that the Texas forest sector supported more than 172,000 jobs with $10.5 billion in labor income (Texas A&M Forest Service, 2021).

2. Creating economic growth - Local economies benefit from the sale of forestry products, such as lumber, pulp, and paper products. The revenue generated from our working forests supports local businesses, creating local economic growth. Texas A&M Forest Service reported a “total economic impact of $41.6 billion in total industry output,” for the Texas forest sector in 2021.

3. Protecting the local ecosystem - Managed forests support the biodiversity of not only the forest lands but the surrounding communities. With sustainable management practices at work, our forests help protect important natural resources that people and wildlife depend on. Wildlife habitats, water, and soil quality are all at the forefront of our minds.

As a forester, my career is centered around managing trees and protecting the environment. At the heart of it, we are environmentalists, making every day an Arbor Day for a forester. We know and understand the stewardship and management of the forest. We hold a deep appreciation for the ecological, environmental, and social values the forest has and provides. Because of this, foresters commit to responsible and sustainable forestry practices. This Texas Arbor Day, join me and the forestry industry in celebrating the contributions the foresters and the working forests provide to local communities, wildlife, and the environment.

For more information about forestry in Texas, visit www.texasforestry.org.

Billy Geier is the Director of Operations for Rayonier's Southwest Resource Unit located in Lufkin, TX.

Rayonier, a sustainable timber company, is responsible for 2.8 million acres of timberlands across its portfolio. The company owns and manages more than 280,000 acres in the state of Texas.