On International Day of Forests, IP Shows How Landowners Use Controlled Burns To Promote Healthy Forests That Withstand Wildfires, Help Wildlife
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From an environmental economics perspective, the collaboration between International Paper (IP) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) on controlled burns presents an intriguing case study in ecosystem services and their valuation. Controlled burns are a form of natural capital management that can mitigate wildfire risks, which in turn can lead to reduced costs for firefighting, property damage and the associated economic disruptions.
Moreover, this practice can enhance forest productivity and health, which is important for industries reliant on timber and other forest products. The increased resilience of forests can secure the supply chain for companies like IP, potentially leading to a more stable stock performance. Investors might view such sustainability initiatives favorably, as they can reduce operational risks and align with the growing demand for corporate social responsibility.
However, the costs and benefits of these programs must be carefully weighed. While the upfront investment in controlled burns and the training of private landowners may be substantial, the long-term payoff in terms of reduced wildfire damage and enhanced forest health could be significant. The impact on IP's financials will depend on how these practices affect their operational efficiency and raw material costs in the long run.
From a sustainable investing standpoint, IP's involvement in the Forestland Stewards Partnership could be an indicator of the company's commitment to environmental stewardship. Investors with a focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria may find IP's stock more attractive due to these initiatives. Such practices can lead to a positive reevaluation of IP's ESG ratings, potentially attracting impact investors and leading to a more diversified shareholder base.
Furthermore, the emphasis on controlled burns and forest management can be seen as a proactive approach to risk management. By supporting these ecological practices, IP is addressing potential climate-related financial risks head-on, which can be a point of interest for investors concerned with long-term sustainability and resilience.
Yet, it's essential to monitor how these environmental strategies translate into financial performance. Investors will be keen on seeing quantifiable outcomes, such as reduced costs due to fewer wildfires or improved revenue from healthier forests. The real test for IP will be in demonstrating that environmental initiatives can coexist with, or even enhance, shareholder value.
From a forestry management perspective, the techniques promoted by the Forestland Stewards Partnership, such as controlled burns, are critical for maintaining forest ecosystem health. These methods help in reducing the accumulation of fuels, thus preventing more severe wildfires. For a company like IP, which relies on forest resources, investing in these practices isn't just about corporate responsibility; it's also about ensuring the longevity and sustainability of their raw material supply.
For the broader market, the partnership's work signals a shift towards more sustainable forestry practices that could influence industry standards. As more private landowners adopt these methods, we could see a ripple effect leading to more resilient forest ecosystems, which is beneficial for the entire forestry sector.
However, it's important to recognize that controlled burns require expertise and careful planning to be effective and safe. The success of such initiatives will hinge on the quality of the training provided to landowners and the ability to execute burns without causing unintended damage. For IP, this means that their investment in education and support for landowners needs to be ongoing and adaptive to changing environmental conditions.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / On International Day of Forests, International Paper (IP) and longtime partner the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) celebrate landowners across the U.S. South that manage non-industrial private forests with controlled burns that help create thriving habitats, safer communities and more resilient forests.
The Forestland Stewards Partnership, a longtime collaboration between IP and NFWF, provides grants to on-the-ground partners to help landowners improve forest management practices and enhance the economic and ecological functions of working forests. One way that NFWF and IP help foster healthy, flourishing forests is by supporting controlled burns and encouraging participation by private landowners. These controlled burns help reduce potential wildfire fuel, such as dead wood and debris, resulting in forests that are more wildfire-resistant.
The Forestland Stewards Partnership supports work with private forest owners across the U.S. South, including North Carolina, where controlled burning efforts are in full swing thanks to partners including The Nature Conservancy in North Carolina (TNC), North Carolina State Cooperative Extension, North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS) and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission that utilize Prescribed Burn Associations and other approaches to getting controlled burns back on the landscape.
"Fire has shaped healthy landscapes of North America, like the longleaf pine ecosystem, for millions of years. Yet, today, our relationship with fire has changed with an overemphasis on putting out fires as quickly as possible and an underemphasis on lighting safe, controlled burns," said Jeff Marcus, TNC North Carolina Longleaf Pine Applied Scientist. "That's why The Nature Conservancy and its partners are proud to work with North Carolina landowners through funding provided by the Forestland Stewards Partnership to teach landowners how controlled burns benefit the forests in their care as well as protecting the entire community."
Marcus pointed to the June 2023 Pulp Road Wildfire in Brunswick County as an example of the importance of controlled burns for community and habitat protection.
"The blaze burned more than 15,000 acres, the majority of which was a wetland called pocosin. Areas that had not burned in over 60 years burned intensely, while areas managed with recent controlled burns burned less intensely or not at all. Controlled burns conducted by The Nature Conservancy in the Green Swamp helped mitigate and control the wildfire by reducing thatch and woody material that made containment of the wildfire easier," Marcus said. "These fire-managed areas served as important refuges for wildlife that live in the Green Swamp." The preserve is owned and managed by TNC, a nonprofit organization working to bring good fire back to forests and other ecosystems, including to longleaf pine forests in North Carolina.
Wayne Rider, a U.S. Army veteran and one of the 525,000 North Carolina private, non-industrial forest landowners, owns 210 acres with his wife in Cumberland and Bladen counties. Together, they are looking to leave the land better than they found it.
"Owning a piece of land and being a good steward was definitely a life goal," Rider said. "We have had wildfires in our area; engaging in controlled burns will result in much less damage to land should an unmanaged blaze strike."
To properly engage in controlled burns, Rider has participated in Bladen Lakes Prescribed Burn Association's educational programs and was certified to conduct controlled burns after taking a 40-hour class through stewardship partner NCFS. Landowners also can hire certified burners and seek reimbursement for much of the cost.
More than three-quarters of North Carolina's 18.7 million acres of forestlands are owned and managed by private landowners. Through NFWF and IP's partnership and collaborative organizations, controlled burn management can protect private lands economic investment by reducing wildfire losses, while enhancing habitat, restoring at-risk wildlife and plant species, and improving water and air quality through healthier forests. Win-win for all.
About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Chartered by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) protects and restores the nation's fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Working with federal, corporate, foundation and individual partners, NFWF has funded more than 6,000 organizations and generated a total conservation impact of
About International Paper
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of sustainable packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of the world's largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what's next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2023 were
About International Paper - EMEA
In Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), International Paper focuses on the production and marketing of fiber-based packaging and pulp, employing approximately 4,200 people. As a leading supplier of high-quality corrugated containers for a multitude of applications, we serve customers throughout the region from our network of two recycled containerboard mills and 23 box plants in France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Pulp production is centered in Gdansk, Poland. Other products available from International Paper in the region include Kraft linerboard and recycled containerboard, as well as pulp.
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SOURCE: International Paper Company
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FAQ
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