Dave Anderson explains the relationship between trees and your taxes.

Welcome to Tax Day!  Wait, before you wince at the expenses side of the forest conservation ledger, lets look at some revenues.  

Forests are "Green Infrastructure" that deliver "free" ecosystem services including oxygen, clean water, diverse wildlife habitat and recreation. 

Forest headwaters along brooks, creeks and rivers filter and purify precipitation and runoff to ensure the cleanliness of ponds and lakes. Forests are integral to ensuring New Hampshire remains THE premier New England vacation destination.  

The state's recreation and tourism industries rely on forests as the scenic setting for fall foliage, winter ski and snowmobile industries, spring maple sugaring and summer fishing, paddling and hiking adventures. 

Forests bestow the mythic "New Hampshire Advantage." Our quality of life and our economy benefit directly from revenues and dividends paid by mere trees.

OK, now for the expense side of the tax ledger… Incidentally, the ledger is printed on paper made from wood pulp! 

Wow- more good news! Forests provide revenues while requiring minimal expense due to government administration or federal programs! 77% of the forestland in NH is privately-owned rather than held in federal or state ownership.

Your income taxes aren't subsidizing the "green infrastructure!" The ecosystem services and natural beauty of New Hampshire's forestland are free!

Forests provide benefits we tend to take for granted - clean air, water, scenery and quality of life without sending us a tax bill! As long as private landowners can afford to pay property taxes and continue to manage their forests. Good news to ponder on "Tax Day."