MADISON, Wis. — The USDA Forest Service’s Forest Products Laboratory held an Earth Day celebration to showcase the work they’re doing to make the earth greener.

What You Need To Know

  • The USDA Forest Service’s Forest Products Laboratory held an Earth Day celebration to showcase the work they’re doing to make the earth greener

  • The lab’s work revolves around wood and products that come from trees

  • Researchers study everything from the anatomy of a tree to the ways a tree can be utilized

  • Visitors got a glimpse at cutting-edge research being done at the lab, from testing the durability of different types of wood products, to products that help reduce waste

The event gave attendees a glimpse of what a green future could look like.

“We celebrate Earth Day because here at the laboratory, we do a lot of work that helps us be a little greener,” said Alicia King, Assistant Director of Communications.

The lab’s work revolves around wood and products that come from trees. Researchers study everything from the anatomy of a tree to the ways a tree can be used.

“We work on sustainability, we work on reducing our footprint, we want to be more eco-friendly,” King said. “So, a lot of the research that we do enables us to discover more ways to utilize trees, all of their glory, and all of the fun things that can come from that.”

Visitors got a glimpse at cutting-edge research being done at the lab, from testing the durability of different types of wood products, to products that help reduce waste.

Don Limbaugh said he has a personal connection to the lab. His son works there. Limbaugh said he left the event fascinated.

“I can’t pick out one thing,” he said. “Just the research on the composite they’re creating and testing. They’re doing amazing work to benefit everybody.”

King said that’s the feeling they hope people leave with, an appreciation for the robust efforts toward sustainability.

“We’ve got an opportunity for them to be able to take home the cool things that we’re doing here related to research, the wonderful ways that we can utilize products from trees, those great renewable resources, so thinking about that green and sustainable future,” she said.

It comes at a time when climate anxiety is growing. In a 2022 study from Yale, researchers found that 9% of Americans reported feeling down or depressed about climate change.

King hopes that by showing people the efforts they’re making at the lab; people will feel more secure in the planet's future.

“We do have a lot of investment in thinking about the future and thinking about kids, and the future that we’re leaving them,” she said. “So, a lot of the research we do will enable them to have a greener environment and a more sustainable environment.”

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