We promote woody biomass utilization as a tool to restore forests, promote local economic development in communities, enhance the use of renewable energy at the local level, and support green building initiatives. Below is a collection of resources on woody biomass utilization.

Guidebooks

Biomass Feedstock Yard Guidebook
A reference for entrepreneurs interested in developing a collection facility for woody biomass.

Healthy Forests and Rangelands - Woody Biomass Utilization
A reference for groups interested in woody biomass utilization and the work of the Federal interagency woody biomass utilization group (Woody BUG).

Wood Heat Solutions
A guidebook for rural communities interested in using woody biomass to fuel boilers to heat schools, hospitals and other community facilities.

Resources

Approaches to Wood Densification Projects in California
A report by Gareth Mayhead (UC Berkeley) outlining various approaches to successful biomass and wood products utilization based on efforts in California.

University of California Cooperative Extension
A resource outlining information about woody biomass utilization, projects, news, and upcoming events.

North America's Wood Pellet Sector
A report issued by the U.S. Forest Service exploring the background, characteristics, and growth of the North American wood pellet sector.

The Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC)
BERC is an independent, national nonprofit organization dedicated to the development of sustainable biomass energy systems at the community scale. BERC maintains a comprehensive lists of biomass resources and links.

Video: The Enterprise School Story
As part of our Woody Biomass Heat Workshop (see below), we produced a 15 minute video detailing the story of the Enterprise School District converting their oil-fired boiler to utilize woody biomass.  See the YouTube version.

Past Workshops

Woody Biomass Heat Workshop
Along with key partners, we helped convene a workshop entitled, Woody Biomass Heat: Making it Work for Communities, in Bend, Oregon. The workshop attracted over 125 participants and highlighting two wood heat projects in Oregon.  Panels and speakers covered the wide range of elements needed to successfully develop woody biomass thermal applications. Learn more about wood heat and download presentations from the workshop.

Making Biomass Work Conference
In 2006, we collaboratively hosted Making Biomass Work: How to Meet Community, Economic, and Ecological Needs in Klamath Falls, Oregon.  View the agenda and download speaker presentations.

Case Studies

Harney County Hospital
Read about the recently built hospital in Harney County, OR that decided to save money and honor the legacy of its community by using a wood pellet heating system.

The Enterprise School Project
Learn about the first school to invest in a modern-day biomass boiler in the state of Oregon in over 50 years.

Policy References

The Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition has been engaged in shaping Federal policy regarding the utilization of woody biomass.  This strong coalition of partners across the West has developed policy recommendations to aid communities restore ecological systems and address local economic issues.  Read our issue papers on woody biomass and learn about our working group!

Partner Links

We work with a host of partners on woody biomass issues, both on the policy and utilization sides.  Our efforts wouldn't succeed without the dedicated assistance of our partners.  Many of them have additional resources, including:

The Climate Leadership Initiative
Eugene, OR
contact: Marcus Kauffman, 541-346-0661

Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council
Redmond, OR
contact: Phil Chang, 541-548-9534

The Watershed Research and Training Center
Hayfork, CA
contact:  Nick Goulette, 530-628-4206

The Forest Guild
Santa Fe, NM
contact: Mike DeBonis, 505-983-8992

Additional Information

Chad Davis -- Sustainable Northwest
503-221-6911
cdavis@sustainablenorthwest.org