Did you know wood is the only natural resource on Earth that is renewable, recyclable and biodegradable?
In North Carolina, the forest products industry plants over 60 million trees each year. Those trees are then turned into more than 5,000 wood and paper products that we use and enjoy each day—everything from baby food and ice cream, to rayon and paint, to toothpaste, cosmetics, medicine and household cleaners.
Unlike fossil fuels, metals and plastics, wood can be harvested, used, regrown and harvested again and again in a never-ending cycle. With proper forest management, we can enjoy thousands of products and still have plenty of trees for wildlife habitat, clean air and water, recreation and aesthetic beauty today and in the future.
In 1960, Congress has passed a resolution during the third week of October to “focus attention on the importance of our forests and forest products to the Nation’s economy and welfare.” Each year since the current President of the United States has issued a proclamation designating the week.
To celebrate Forest Products Week, the North Carolina Forestry Association along with its sponsors are hosting a statewide essay contest to promote the 1,000 companies directly contributing to North Carolina’s forest economy.
Grade Level
Elementary (3rd-5th)
Essay Length
350 words or less
Writing Prompt
Explore a tree in your backyard, neighborhood, or on school campus. What signs of wildlife do you see? Is your tree healthy? What species is your tree? Write an informative report detailing your observations.
Grade Level
Middle (6th-8th)
Essay Length
400 words or less
Writing Prompt
Research an everyday product made from trees in North Carolina. Describe how it is made, and how the item has helped you in your daily life.
Grade Level
High (9th-12th)
Essay Length
500 words or less
Writing Prompt
The N.C. Forest Service will be sharing the benefits of good fire in 2021. Research prescribed fire and explain how this best management practice benefits the forest.
For teachers that are using the essay contest as a class assignment, teachers are required to select the top five essays in the class OR up to five essays per class. If teachers lead multiple sections of a course, teachers can send the top five essays per class section. Please do not send a classroom set of essays.
Essays will be due on the last day of National Forest Products Week (October 23, 2020.) Essays must be received by 5:00 pm on Friday, October 23, 2020. Students and teachers of winning essays will be notified by December 7. Please look to our website and social media pages for announcements.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a large portion of North Carolina students remote learning this semester, our submission process has changed for the 2020 year.
*if you or your students are using Google Docs as your virtual platform, please convert the document to a .pdf or .docx file. This can be done by selecting File->Download-> then selecting .pdf or .docx.* Example here.
Essays should have the contact information included at the bottom of their essay. See attached:
Essays can be typed or handwritten and must be e-mailed to NCFA for consideration.
Typed essays must use Times New Roman size 12 or 14 and saved as word documents.
Hand written essays must have legible handwriting with pen/pencil dark enough to appear when the document is scanned.
Essays will be graded using a standardized Analytic Rubric.
Winning essays will include the following:
Top essays will be selected from the elementary, middle, and high school categories. All three winners will each receive a $200 Visa gift card. The teacher of the winning essay will also receive $100 Visa gift card for classroom materials and a scholarship to attend the Sustainable Forestry Teachers Experience the next calendar year. Prizes will be delivered during the month of December.
Elementary
Middle
High
Special thanks to our sponsors; the N.C. Forest Service and the North Carolina Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee.