USDA's $7.6m for healthy forests inspires $131m from partners

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is investing in rural economies, reducing wildfire risk and improving forest conditions by awarding $7.62 million in grants as part of the agency’s Wood Innovations Grant program.

The Wood Innovations Grant program advances innovations in wood products that create jobs, revitalize local economies and support sustainable forest land management. Thirty-five business, nonprofit, university and tribal partners in 19 states and Puerto Rico will match the grants with an additional $131 million.

“Markets for wood products are key to supporting sustainable management and restoration of our nation’s forested lands,” said Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen. “We can keep both public and private forests healthy and resilient by fostering economic opportunities around wood products.”

This year the Forest Service received 103 proposals, demonstrating the expanding interest in using wood in traditional and innovative ways as a building material and a renewable energy source.

Of the 35 projects selected, 27 focus on expanding markets for wood products and eight seek to increase markets for renewable wood energy. This year’s projects expand uses for small diameter wood, develop new markets for biochar and wood-powered energy, explore using cross-laminated timber in health care facilities, examine how to finance urgent restoration work, and more.

The projects will take place in 19 states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Vermont and Washington) and Puerto Rico.

Read more and see the full list of grant recipients: https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/releases/usda-forest-service-awards-wood-in...