Forests of Fortune Exhibiition
Location: Mill Building, Paul Bunyan Forest Camp
Folks have been harvesting forest products since the very first hunter-gatherers roamed the earth because forests provide everything needed for survival. Eventually, some hunter-gatherers settled down, cleared forestland to make space for planted crops and learned how to harvest timber. Today, we still hunt, gather, harvest, and manufacture a wide array of products from the forest.
When you think of forests, you may think of trees, lumber, or animals, but there is an astonishing variety of forest products which might surprise you. There are primary products such as raw wood and finished lumber, as well as non-timber products such as wood pulp, maple syrup, chocolate, mushrooms, cork, and processed items like rayon fabric, cellulose sponges, and the cancer drug Taxol.
Our forests are a treasure trove of resources and assets, providing us with many everyday items, but they are also wildlife habitat and essential for life on earth. They are more than just a collection of trees; they house thousands of different species, provide us with the air we breathe, and store carbon – keeping this primary greenhouse gas out of the atmosphere.
Forests are habitats for humans too! Many folks live in or near forests and depend on them for their livelihoods. Not only that, forests inspire wonder and boost mental and physical well-being, therefore many enjoy forests as a beautiful place for recreation and relaxation.
There’s much more to discover about forests and the bounty they provide us in the Forests of Fortune exhibition inside the Mill Building, located at Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp.