Wisconsin Forests in Action

Forest Products Week 2026
Boston School Forest | Plover, Wis.

Wisconsin Forests in Action: Science, Engineering, and Innovation

Fri., Oct. 23, 2026 | 8:30 a.m.-Noon

Celebrate Wisconsin Forest Products Week with a day of hands-on exploration at the Boston School Forest! Secondary students will discover how Wisconsin’s forests are managed, how trees become everyday products, and how new technology and innovation are shaping the future of the forest products industry. Through interactive activities, students will make connections between forests, science, engineering, sustainability, and the important role forests play in our daily lives. We encourage groups to bring sack lunches to enjoy in the forest after the morning’s activities!

Registration opens this fall and space is limited.

 

EXPLORATION STATIONS

Hands-on Activity Stations

Participants will rotate through hands-on activity stations to explore Wisconsin’s forest products industry, learning about forestry, wood products, sustainability, and the many ways forests support our daily lives.
LEAF K-12 Forestry Education

Competition in a Forest

The Race for Resources: Growing Healthy Forests

Discover how trees compete for essential resources such as sunlight, water, nutrients, and space ot survive and grow. Students will learn how competition affects forest health and productivity, and how sustainable forest management practices can reduce competition, promote healthy growth, and strengthen Wisconsin’s thriving forest products industry.

Learn more about LEAF
Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology

Forest Products

What Products Can Be Made From These Trees?

WIST will showcase the remarkable range of products made from wood, wood fiber, cellulose, and other forest-derived materials. From familiar paper, packaging and building products to others that you might not expect, including advanced composites and emerging biomaterials, the station will highlight how Wisconsin’s forests support innovation, manufacturing, jobs and everyday products in ways that are often surprising and, many times, unseen.

Learn More about WIST
Forest Harvesting

Wisconsin Forestry Center

A Simulated Logging Experience

Participants will get up-close to one of the forest industry’s most advanced machines, the mechanized harvesters. Students will explore the size, technology, and features of these amazing machines. Some students will get the added experience of learning how to operate a harvester on a full scale harvester simulator.

Learn More about WFC
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Forest Health and Management

Why Is Managing the Forest Important?

Description coming soon.

Learn More about Forestry at DNR
College of Natural Resources

Timber Sports

Creating Tomorrow’s Conservation Leaders

Description coming soon.

Learn More about CNR at UWSP
Paper Science and Chemical Engineering

Paper Innovations

Tackle challenges in manufacturing and industrial engineering

Description coming soon.

Learn More about Paper Science
Logos of those producing Forest Products Week 2026