Why do people choose forestry?

For some, it starts with family. For others, time outdoors, a college class, or a moment when a different future suddenly feels right. There is no single path into forestry, and that is exactly what makes the field strong.

Through the Louisiana Forestry Association’s Forestry Foundation Scholar program, students across generations have been able to explore careers in forestry and turn interests into opportunities. In this first of four series, scholars share what inspired them to choose forestry and pursue this profession.

For Brian Sebastian, now a wildfire training specialist, forestry was familiar from the start.

A handcrew burns and holds a fire line during a burnout operation on a wildfire. Photo courtesy Brian Sebastian.

“My dad was a forester, so I have been exposed to forestry and the outdoors my whole life. In college I tried to pursue other fields, but I kept going back to the outdoors and sought a career there. I chose a degree in forest resource management and worked forestry jobs in the summer. In doing so, I realized that stewardship was one of my core values, which is also important in forest management, so it was a good fit immediately.”

Sebastian’s story reflects a common theme among forestry professionals: early exposure may open the door, and purpose propels people forward into the field.

For Ronald Chance, a forest manager for a timber company and one of the earliest Forestry Foundation Scholars, forestry was not the expected path, but it became the right one.

Chance grew up in Westlake, Louisiana, in a refinery town where most students planned careers in the oil and gas industry. Engineering seemed like a logical future. But time spent visiting family in rural Louisiana hunting, camping, and exploring the woods, began to change how he saw his surroundings and his future.

As college approached, practical realities also shaped his decision. Staying close to home mattered, both financially and personally, and McNeese State University offered a forestry degree. What began as a possibility soon became a calling.

“I kept going back to the forestry curriculum section and wondering if that was the route I should take. I visited one of the forestry professors to learn more, and my interest became more intense. I could not ignore the idea of working in the woods, even though becoming an engineer had long been the plan.”

That decision launched a career in forestry that has spanned decades; one rooted in stewardship and a connection to forests.

Graphic created and provided by Maxwell Brown

For Maxwell Brown, a student at Southern University studying urban forestry, inspiration comes from curiosity and connection to the outdoors.

“I find inspiration in being outdoors. Spending time in forests, parks, or just exploring my surroundings helps me think clearly, stay curious, and stay motivated to learn and make a difference.”

Brown’s focus on urban forestry highlights how the profession continues to evolve, bringing trees and forest management into cities and communities.

These stories show just how many ways people find their way into forestry. Whether it starts with a family's influence, a love of the outdoors, a desire to see more trees in urban spaces, or a shift away from an expected career path, forestry offers room to grow.

From field-based work and wildfire response to technology, urban forestry, policy, and management, the profession needs people with different skills and perspectives. If you care about forests and the communities connected to them, there is a place for you in forestry.

In upcoming posts, we will share more Forestry Foundation Scholar stories, highlighting how education and support continue to shape the next generation of forestry professionals.

Wood Innovation Series Look-Back: 2025

In 2025, the Wood Innovation film series, supported by the USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations Program, highlighted how innovative uses of wood are strengthening forest management, supporting rural economies, and helping communities meet real-world needs. Through two short films and accompanying educational campaigns, the series explored how creating markets for low-value wood can benefit forests and the people who depend on them.

Fueling the Future: Bioenergy and Forest Resilience

Our first film, Fueling the Future, explored the role of bioenergy across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maryland. Forest management is costly, and in many parts of the East Coast there are limited markets for low-value wood, material that makes up the majority of a harvested tree.

Only about 30 percent of a tree becomes a traditional sawlog. The remaining 70 percent, tops, limbs, and smaller-diameter material, requires a viable market to support sustainable forest management. Wood energy helps fill that gap.

The film follows a tour of a bioenergy facility with Froling Energy, where key decision-makers were able to see wood energy systems in action. Vermont and New Hampshire have been national leaders in adopting wood energy solutions for more than two decades, building on a model long used in Europe but still emerging in the United States.

Fueling the Future also features local businesses, like Vermont Glove, using automated wood pellet boiler systems to heat their buildings. These systems have significantly offset energy costs while keeping energy dollars local, approximately 80 cents of every dollar spent stays within 30 miles of where the wood is sustainably sourced.

By providing a market for low-value wood, bioenergy supports healthier, more resilient forests while keeping communities economically strong and closely connected to the land that sustains them.

From Forests to Communities: Wood Products with Purpose

Our second film, From Forests to Communities, tells the story of how forests in Maine are continuing to care for their communities through innovative wood products.

The film highlights TimberHP, a local wood fiber insulation manufacturer using low-value wood, particularly softwood chips once destined for paper mills, to create a high-performance, renewable insulation product. These chips are refined, dried, and bonded into insulation that regulates moisture, allows buildings to breathe, and outperforms many traditional materials. The series also examined how wood fiber insulation is being applied in a real-world project.

In partnership with the NorthernForest Center, a wood-first approach was used to rehabilitate the historic Gehring House. The project incorporated restored wood finishes, TimberHP’s wood fiber insulation, and automated wood pellet boilers to create much-needed housing for the local community.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on the 2025 Wood Innovation Series, a clear theme emerges: when communities take care of their forests, forests can take care of their communities.

By supporting innovative wood products, creating markets for low-value wood, and strengthening local economies, these projects demonstrate how thoughtful forest stewardship contributes to resilient forests and thriving communities, today and for generations to come.

Rooted in Purpose: UW-Stevens Point's SAF Student Chapter

At the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point (UWSP), the Society of American Foresters (SAF) Student Chapter is shaping the next generation of forestry through a blend of skill-building, service, and hands-on learning. What begins as an academic interest quickly grows into something deeper: a community built from stewardship and shared purpose.

A Mission That Extends Beyond the Classroom

The chapter’s mission is to teach practical forestry skills and techniques, prepare students for UWSP forestry skill evaluations, help students connect with forestry professionals, share internships and job opportunities, and promote the UWSP forestry program.

This mission guides everything they do, but the way this chapter brings these goals to life is the real inspiration. Students deepen their knowledge beyond the classroom through experiences that take them directly into the forest. They participate in forestry skills competitions, tree-identification walks for students, tour forestry businesses to explore real-world career paths, and help local property owners with tree planting. Students also attend state conferences and the annual SAF National Convention, expanding their professional network across the country and connecting to the broader forestry community.

Service as a Way of Learning

Service plays a critical role in the chapter’s culture. In the past year, members planted 2,500 trees in a single week, collected red pine seed cones for the Wisconsin DNR nursery program, and spent time cleaning local highways. They also crafted wooden benches for a local daycare, demonstrating how forestry skills can directly benefit local communities.

Their involvement in the Kretz Forestry Festival gave students a chance to meet private landowners, connect with forestry professionals, and tour a working sawmill. This experience linked classroom concepts to in-the-field practices.

A Community Growing Together

The UWSP SAF Student Chapter is a training ground for future foresters who understand that stewardship is both a responsibility and a privilege. Through hands-on projects and giving back to their local community, these students are building the skills that will guide them throughout their careers.

We are #forestproud to share their stories of students finding their purpose and inspiring the next generation of foresters to follow.

How Vermont is Growing Forests and Communities

Imagine a landscape blanketed in trees as far as the eye can see, where vibrant maples, spruces, and birches stretch across rolling hills and quiet valleys. Welcome to Vermont, one of the most forested states in the US, with 78% of its land covered in trees. But these forests are not just beautiful; they are essential to the state’s economy, communities, and way of life.

In our latest #forestproud vlog, we spoke with Oliver P., Director of the Vermont Division of Forests, and Katharine S., Forest Economy Program Manager, to learn how Vermont is managing its forests for both people and nature.

Forests and Communities Taking Care of Each Other

Oliver leads a team focused on managing public lands, supporting private landowners, and helping cities maintain healthy urban forests. Katharine works on the business side of forestry, connecting foresters and loggers with markets for their products and ensuring the forest economy thrives. Together, they shared how Vermont keeps that balance between recreation, conservation, and economic growth through active forest management.

Vermont’s forests contribute $2.1 billion to the state’s economy each year. That includes everything from high-quality timber to low-grade wood used for heating and energy. Low-grade wood, like branches and smaller logs that might otherwise go unused, plays a key role in keeping forests healthy. By thinning trees and sustainably harvesting this wood, Vermont maintains wildlife habitat, protects water quality, and supports landowners while providing energy to local communities. It is a model that shows how healthy forests and healthy economies go hand in hand.

Local Wood, Local Good

Did you know that 1 in 5 public school students in Vermont attend a school heated with wood? These schools save 18% on annual heating costs, a critical benefit in rural districts. Through programs like “Feel Good Heat” and “Wood Warms,” Vermont ensures that wood energy is accessible and supports low-income households, even providing cords of wood from state timber sales to families in need. For more than 50 years, these programs have connected the state’s forests with the people who rely on them, helping communities while keeping forests intact.

Vermont and Maryland: Fueling the Future

Vermont’s work does not stop at its borders. Katharine emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge across states, like collaborating with colleagues in Maryland through projects such as Fueling the Future. These partnerships help ensure forests remain forests while supporting the people and industries that depend on them. Watch the Wood Innovations Program film here

Vermont’s forests are more than trees; they are the roots of strong communities, a renewable source of energy, and a living example of how people and forests can grow together. Watch our full conversation with Oliver and Katharine to see how forests and communities grow together here

From Forest to Communities

Healthy forests and thriving communities go hand in hand. From Forests to Communities, the latest Wood Innovations film, highlights how innovative wood products are strengthening local economies, creating sustainable housing solutions, and connecting people to the benefits of working forests. This story-driven documentary showcases the partnerships and possibilities that emerge when we invest in both our forests and the communities that depend on them.

Maine’s forests are more than timber, they’re a source of innovation, community, and economic opportunity. The film shows how sustainably harvested wood supports healthy forests, stores carbon, and strengthens local economies.

The film features TimberHP, a Maine-based company producing high-performance wood fiber insulation from sustainably harvested forest products. Supported by the USDA Forest Service’s Wood Innovation Program and Community Wood Grants, TimberHP is creating healthier buildings, boosting the local workforce, and revitalizing the forest products economy.

Also highlighted is the Northern Forest Center’s renovation of the historic Gehring House in Bethel, Maine. By using locally sourced wood, salvaged materials, automated wood pellet boilers, and innovative wood-first products like TimberHP insulation, the project provides critical housing while promoting sustainable forest management.

Together, these stories demonstrate the Wood Innovation Program’s commitment to investing in innovation, supporting communities, and connecting healthy forests to a thriving forest products economy. Watch the film now!

Seeing Fire Differently: Red Feather Lakes Walk and Talk

#forestproud out in the field! Fire is a part of life in northern Colorado, and for communities like Red Feather Lakes, it’s both a risk and a tool. Recently, our project manager, Alyssa Stewart-Lambert, joined residents for a “Walk and Talk” hosted by the Red Feather Lakes Community Library. Together, they explored a nearby prescribed burn project and learned what it means to live in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), how fire shapes the forests around them, and what stewardship looks like in this landscape.
Prescribed fire can be complex and sometimes controversial, but when we break down the science into We Speak Forests language, the benefits are clear: healthier forests, safer communities, and a more resilient future.

Living in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)

Residents of the Red Feather Lakes area live in a zone known as the Wildland Urban Interface, or WUI (pronounced woo-eee). It’s where human development meets wild ecosystems, forests, grasslands, and other natural areas overlapping with homes and businesses. Living in the WUI brings beauty and connection to nature, but it also significantly increases the risk of wildfire ignition and spread. That makes prevention and mitigation efforts essential.

What Kind of Forest is Red Feather Lakes?

Red Feather Lakes sits in Colorado’s upper montane forest zone, between about 8,000 and 10,000 feet. These forests are a mix of ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and quaking aspen. Historically, upper montane forests experienced frequent, low-intensity fires that cleared out underbrush, kept stands more open, and created diverse habitats for wildlife.

But decades of fire suppression have changed that balance, allowing fuels to build up and stands to grow denser, making today’s wildfires burn hotter and spread faster. That’s why prescribed burning, which reintroduces fire under controlled conditions, is such a powerful tool in these forests.

Lessons from Recent Fires

The Red Feather Lakes community knows wildfire risk all too well. Two of Colorado’s largest wildfires in history have impacted the area in the past decade:

2012 High Park Fire – Burned 87,415 acres, destroyed more than 250 homes, claimed one life, and caused $113 million in damages.

2020 Cameron Peak Fire – Burned 208,913 acres across 112 days, destroyed 492 homes, and became the largest wildfire in Colorado history.

Yet even in the midst of destruction, there was a success story. On the northeastern flank of the Cameron Peak Fire, flames stopped at a “ribbon” of treated forest, an area where prescribed burning and thinning had been done on both public and private lands. Local videographer Evan Barrientos documented this striking example of proactive management in a short film (Watch it HERE)

The Magic Feather Project

From these lessons, the Magic Feather Prescribed Burn Project was born. This large-scale effort is a partnership between the Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW).

Together, they’re working to treat 6,329 acres in northern Colorado, creating another strategic “ribbon” of protection across Forest Service and non-Forest Service lands.

The project’s goals include:

Reducing the buildup of brush and branches that fuel intense wildfires.

Restoring ponderosa pine and mixed-conifer stands to more natural conditions

Retaining and encouraging old-growth characteristics

Improving wildlife habitat

Work began in 2023, and about 24% is complete. Community perspectives remain mixed, which is understandable given the scars left by two record-breaking wildfires. Prescribed burning is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce wildfire risk, but it’s also one of the hardest to talk about. (Learn more about the Magic Feather Prescribed Burn Project HERE)

Seeing Fire Differently: The Walk and Talk

The Red Feather Library hosted its Walk and Talk on the Lady Moon Trail in the Roosevelt National Forest, where portions of the Magic Feather Project are underway. Alyssa led a group of locals through a recently prescribed burn to see what the forest looked like a year later.

What they found was resilience:

The canopy opened, letting in more sunlight

Understory vegetation thriving

Aspen groves regenerating with dozens of new seedlings

Wildlife corridors reopening for movement and migration

Far from destruction, the prescribed burn had given the forest a fresh start.

Why Prescribed Burning Matters

The benefits of prescribed burning are numerous:

Keeps wildfires smaller and less severe by reducing the buildup of dry brush, branches, and dead trees that can fuel megafires.

Gives trees a chance to regrow. Fire helps pinecones release seeds and sparks new shoots in aspen groves, bringing young forests to life.

Creates better habitat for wildlife by opening the forest floor for grasses, flowers, and shrubs that feed elk, deer, birds, and pollinators.

Recycles nutrients back into the soil by turning dead wood and leaves into fertilizer that helps new plants thrive.
Restores a forest’s natural rhythm. For thousands of years, these forests have relied on periodic, low-intensity fires to stay balanced. Prescribed burns bring that cycle back.

By reintroducing fire thoughtfully, land managers are helping forests regain their natural resilience. And during the Walk and Talk, residents saw those benefits in action. In the burn area, the ground was dotted with fresh green sprouts of grasses and wildflowers pushing up through the ash. Young aspen shoots were already reclaiming the forest floor, their bright leaves catching the light. A Hairy Woodpecker darted among the standing snags, tapping for insects in the fire-killed trees, a reminder that even burned wood has a role in the ecosystem, providing food and shelter for countless species. The group also noticed how much cleaner the forest floor looked, with fewer downed branches and dense tangles of dead wood that could otherwise fuel future wildfires. Rather than a scar, the burn area felt alive, a living example of how fire, when planned and guided, can be a force for renewal.

Reframing Fire: A Closing Reflection

Alyssa closed the Walk and Talk discussion with this takeaway:

“I know we’ve all lived through devastating wildfires, and those memories can be difficult to revisit. But it’s important to remember: not all fires are bad. As residents of these forests, we have a responsibility to steward the land and understand what it needs to stay healthy. By learning to also see fire as a new beginning, especially in the context of prescribed burning, we can start to recognize it as a positive force. Forests are resilient, and so are we.”

A big thank-you to the Red Feather Lakes Community Library for hosting this Walk and Talk and giving us the opportunity to We Speak Forests in action. Bringing science off the page and into the community, right where it matters most.

Inspiring the Next Generation

We love seeing #forestproud make a real-world impact, and one recent project out of Wisconsin is a perfect example of what happens when content, education, and mission-driven organizations come together.

Last fall, Into the Outdoors, an Emmy Award-winning “edutainment” series focused on outdoor and science education, teamed up with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the LEAF program (Wisconsin’s K–12 Forestry Education Program), the USDA Forest Service – Forest Products Lab, and the Wood Innovations Program to launch a new video series celebrating the importance of forests and forest products in our daily lives.

Timed with Forest Products Month in October 2024, the series was designed to inspire young minds, support classroom learning, and raise awareness of how forests shape our communities and our future.

Turning #forestproud Content into Curriculum

One of the new episodes was directly inspired by our own #forestproud article, Wood Innovations: Shifting from Plastics to Planet. (Read the HERE) The story was adapted for younger audiences and transformed into a dynamic classroom lesson tailored for elementary students, making abstract ideas accessible and exciting for kids.

This type of translation from story to screen to school is exactly the kind of impact we’re proud to support.

A Collaborative Mission

Into the Outdoors began as a collaboration between Discover MediaWorks and the Wisconsin DNR, with a shared goal of getting kids away from screens and into nature. Over time, the partnership has grown, and today, it includes ongoing work to promote sustainable forestry, forest products, and the future of the forest workforce.

According to the producers, the video series reached more than 800,000 viewers across traditional and streaming platforms, not including PBS distribution. The episodes and lessons were shared with hundreds of schools, educators, and students throughout the region via trusted education platforms such as the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) and Stride, Inc.

Supporting Classrooms and Communities

Gina Smith, Resource Specialist for the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education and the College of Natural Resources at UW–Stevens Point, shared: “Driven by our goal of enriching students and sustaining forests, LEAF was excited to create hands-on lessons for students of all ages to support the new Into the Outdoors Forest Products and Wood Education episodes. We’ve enjoyed sharing the episodes and lessons with over 6,000 Wisconsin educators via conferences, workshops, and our newsletter, the LEAFlet.”

She added a quote from LEAF’s long-time DNR partner, Kirsten Held, who said it best: "Young people and natural resources are Wisconsin’s greatest assets. Together, we have the privilege of supporting the growth of both so they thrive and continue to support our state in the future.”

Positive Feedback and Growing Impact

Hailey Rose of Into the Outdoors noted the strong response from the education and forestry communities alike: “The response has been incredibly positive. The forestry community has embraced these topics, recognizing them as essential conversations for both current and future generations. Educators and students alike have found the content engaging and relevant.”

She added: “Our team remains deeply committed to supporting the forest industry and is always seeking new partnerships with organizations and individuals who share our passion. Moving forward, we plan to focus on topics such as technology, workforce recruitment, environmental stewardship, and responsible forest management. We are proud to be part of the #forestproud community and look forward to continuing this important work.”

Interested in seeing the lessons? View the curriculum bundle here

Real-World Impact, Real Future

Real-world impact is at the heart of what we do at #forestproud. We’re honored to collaborate with partners like Into the Outdoors, LEAF, and the Wisconsin DNR, organizations that are not only amplifying the value of forestry but also inspiring the next generation to see themselves as stewards of the land.

Read more about this series and Into the Outdoors here

Together, We Speak Forests, to inspire, to educate, and to grow the next generation of stewards.

Shaping the Future of Forests: Spotlight

At #forestproud, we are spotlighting the people who shape the future of forests, and an organization that embodies that commitment fully is the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) As SFI is celebrating their 30 year anniversary, we’re proud to celebrate their work as a driving force behind sustainable forestry across North America.

Founded in 1994, SFI is a nonprofit organization tackling sustainability challenges both locally and globally. What makes SFI stand out is their people-centered approach. SFI brings together a diverse coalition of people, ranging from local communities and educators to Indigenous leaders, conservationists, and landowners. Together, they are building a future where forests and the people who depend on them thrive.

Earlier this year, SFI hosted its annual conference in Minneapolis, MN, themed “Innovating for Forests and Communities.” This gathering of thought leaders and changemakers across the sector focused on some of the most pressing issues facing forestry today.

How do we build and support a future forester workforce?

What does innovation look like for the future of our forests?

How can communities be active partners in forest stewardship?

Dan Lambe, SFI Board Chair, captured the spirit of the gathering in his remarks to first-time attendees:
“You are surrounded by friends, allies, peers, and they want to know you, they want to learn from you, they want to connect with you.”
He reminded everyone why this moment matters:
“It is the time for trees, it is the time for forests, and if there was ever a time for a conference like this, now is the time.”

The conference was not just a reflection on where we are, it was a call to action on where we want to go, collectively. Attendees explored the intersection of technology and forestry, the importance of diversity in conservation, and the powerful role of Indigenous knowledge and leadership in sustainable forestry practices.

One of the most inspiring takeaways from the event? Sustainable forestry is not just about trees; it is about people. It is about educators inspiring future foresters. The Tribal Nation's leading with centuries of wisdom. The landowners who steward their forests for the next generation. Innovators who are finding new ways to make forestry more resilient and equitable.

And it is about the rising generation, those just beginning their careers, ready to lead. Sébastien Niemi, Forestry Liaison Specialist for the Michipicoten First Nation, spoke directly to youth delegates with a powerful reminder:
“The phrase 'standing on the shoulders of giants;’ that’s you. You have the power to help people see further than they could before.”

We are grateful to have SFI as a partner and sponsor in this work. As they celebrate three decades of impact, we look forward to the next chapter, one that continues to center communities, elevate diverse voices, and champion sustainable solutions for people, products, and planet.

You can learn more about SFI's conference and see highlights here: https://forests.org/2025-sfi-ac-highlights/

Wood Innovation: Building a Sustainable Future from the Forest

At #forestproud, we see wood innovation as more than just progress. It is a pathway to stronger communities, resilient economies, and a healthier planet. Through the U.S. Forest Service’s Wood Innovation Program, forward-thinking projects that open new markets, spark job growth, foster education, and advance sustainable forest management. As a proud partner of the Wood Innovation Grant Program, #forestproud is helping share these stories, highlighting how innovative wood products are making real-world impacts and bridging the gap between forestry and the wider public. Together, we are demonstrating the power of forests to shape a more sustainable tomorrow.

What Is Biochar? A Climate Solution Rooted in Forest Innovation

Biochar is an age-old practice with powerful new potential. Biochar is essentially charcoal, but instead of burning it for heat, it's used as an agricultural, industrial, and environmental treatment material where it stores carbon for thousands of years. Created by baking biomass such as dead trees, forestry waste, or crop residues without enough oxygen for combustion , biochar transforms waste that would otherwise be discarded or burned into something valuable: a stable product that can be used to improve soil quality, remove pollutants from water, improve concrete, and more. This zero-waste solution does not just repurpose biomass; it redefines it as a tool for climate resilience, agricultural productivity, and circular economic development.

With roots in ancient agricultural practices, biochar is gaining traction across the country and the world, enhancing soil health, protecting water quality, and driving rural economic development. Through partnerships and innovation, the United States Biochar Initiative is helping build a future where waste has value and forests are part of an economic and climate solution.

From Risk to Resource: Tackling Forest Waste

Across the U.S., forests are facing mounting pressures, from changing weather patterns and invasive pests to a century of fire suppression that’s left many landscapes overcrowded and debris filled. In areas where communities meet forests, the buildup of dead trees and underbrush significantly increases wildfire risks. Every year, different agencies remove millions of tons of excess woody material through thinning and restoration efforts. But without productive use, much of it is burned on-site, adding cost and releasing harmful pollutants. Worse, without markets for this material, many projects simply do not happen, increasing the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

Biochar offers a practical, forward-thinking solution. By converting excess forest material into a stable, soil-enhancing product, communities can turn a high-risk byproduct into a high-value resource. Scalable technologies, from mobile kilns to community-sized units, make it possible to use this material locally or bring it to market, supporting healthier landscapes and stronger rural economies.

Beyond reducing wildfire risk through biomass removal, biochar can be used in post-wildfire restoration to rebuild soil health in burned landscapes. Its porous structure helps retain water and nutrients in degraded soils, which supports regrowth and reduces erosion in fire-affected areas. Similarly, biochar applications can improve stormwater management by filtering runoff and protecting nearby waterways from sediment and pollutants, making it a valuable tool for both forest and community resilience.

From Storm Debris to Soil Booster: A Biochar Success Story in Haywood County

In western North Carolina’s Haywood County, local officials and farmers are putting biochar to work in a powerful new way. After Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Fred left behind massive amounts of wood debris, the county partnered with private industry to bring in a mobile machine that turns downed logs and branches into biochar. This innovative approach reduced the volume of material headed to landfills or burn piles and created a value-added product that is now helping local farmers improve their soil health and water retention.

Biochar enhances soil by increasing its ability to hold nutrients and moisture, critical factors for crops recovering from storm impacts and variable weather. Farmers using biochar report healthier plants in increased yield, improved drought resilience, and reduced need for fertilizers, making their land more productive and sustainable over time.

The project is a strong example of how communities can use wood waste recovery and small-scale biochar production to support landowners, manage wood waste, and keep forests and farms productive. Rather than letting storm debris become a liability, Haywood County has transformed it into a local asset, displaying how wood innovation can strengthen both environmental and economic resilience. Read more on this story HERE.

Highlighting the United States Biochar Initiative

The United States Biochar Initiative (USBI) plays a vital role in advancing biochar innovation nationwide through education, advocacy, and support for projects turning wood waste into valuable resources. Their work is focused on developing markets for biochar in the agricultural, industrial, and environmental sectors by providing education, training, and supporting demonstration projects.

Keep an eye out for our upcoming #forestproud vlog, where we will dive deeper into USBI’s efforts, explore the expanding potential of biochar, and share stories from the people making a real impact on the ground. Together, we are highlighting innovations shaping a more resilient future.

Fueling the Future

#forestproud explores how New England states are utilizing forest waste to fuel the future

The future of renewable energy is rooted in our forests.

Our new bioenergy film project is shedding light on how forest-based bioenergy is powering communities, creating jobs, and driving innovation. In partnership with the USDA Forest Service's Wood Innovation Grant Program, this powerful documentary explores the economic and environmental benefits of a thriving bioenergy sector, featuring real-world examples of sustainable energy solutions.

“The USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations Program strengthens forest sustainability by advancing markets for wood products and energy to support active forest management, reduce wildfire risk and support rural jobs. Through grants, it encourages traditional wood,” said Brian Brashaw, USFS assistant director. “Community Wood Grants fund wood energy systems and innovative product facilities, boosting local economies. The Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance grant helps processing facilities grow, ensuring they can handle byproducts from federal and tribal restoration efforts, essential for both forest conservation and economic development.”

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Wood Innovation Program plays a pivotal role in aiding these projects that not only drive new market opportunities but also create jobs, educate the next generation, and contribute to environmental stewardship. #forestproud is partnered with the Wood Innovation Grant Program to amplify the message of sustainable forest management for the production and potential of innovative wood products to help people and the planet. We’re telling success stories, documenting real impact, and connecting the sector to those beyond the world of forestry about the value of forests as forests.

“Vermont leads the nation with our advanced wood heating efforts. Using wood heat has been a way of life in Vermont for generations. Currently, one in six Vermont students attends a school heated with wood, and more than 25% of the state's thermal energy needs are met with wood. Wood energy advocates in Maryland are working to build and expand their wood energy supply chain, and Vermont has been a helpful resource in their efforts. The tours we hosted have enabled Marylanders to visit Vermont facilities using advanced wood heating systems, speak with experts about installation and maintenance, and learn about the wood energy supply chain.” Oliver Pierson, Director of Forestry, Vermont Division of Forests, Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation

In 2024, research conducted by Growth Energy states that the U.S bioeconomy directly supported almost 644,000 jobs in the US and contributed almost $210 billion to the U.S.

“The wood energy supply chain encompasses the entire process of producing wood-based energy, from tree planting, forest to final consumption by different types of wood energy using facilities. It includes harvesting, drying, bundling, packaging, transport, and utilization of wood fuel, which plays a vital role in local energy markets by providing renewable energy for heating, cooling, and combining heat and electricity generation,” said Brashaw. “Wood energy is an important source of domestic energy, it is American-grown, provides 24/7 Baseload power, it’s a source of local energy and important for our national security. It provides a market outlet for timber or forest products production leftovers.”

Click HERE to view the full bioenergy film!

Innovative solutions to forest resources are a circular method of supporting sustainable forest management for people, products, and planet. By utilizing wood waste and turning the byproduct into a viable fuel product helps communities, the local economy, the local workforce, and local forests, which ultimately helps the planet. We are #forestproud to support the continued implementation and advancement of wood products and will have more exciting and inspiring stories from USFS Wood Innovation Grant Program recipients that are making a significant impact in lives, through forests, for good.