Biomass Success Stories

The White Mountain Stewardship Project

The White Mountain Stewardship Project is currently taking place on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona. Over the course of 10 years, its goal is to improve wildlife habitat, reduce wildfire threats and impacts, and improve economic outcomes for rural communities. The Project just completed its fifth year and, so far, has provided expanded opportunities in the local wood products industry, saved homes from the 2011 Wallow Fire, and improved habitat for songbirds and overall habitat diversity.

-For more details visit: http://www.eri.nau.edu/en/news/10/6-white-mountain-stewardship-project-5-year-report
-Or see: http://www.wflccenter.org/success_stories/pdf-50/

Harney County District Hospital (Burns, Oregon)

The Harney County District Hospital has been heating its facilities with wood fuel since 2007. By using a wood heating system, the hospital has provided a new market for local wood products, which has helped to mitigate hazardous forest fuels and create timber jobs. The system saves the hospital $58,000 per year compared to its former fossil fuel heating expenses and took just three years to provide a full return on investment.

-For more information visit: http://www.biomasscenter.org/resources/case-studies/institutions/197-harney.html

The South Knob Stewardship Project

The South Knob Stewardship Project was completed in 2005 on the Modoc National Forest in California. The primary goal of the Project was to restore ecosystems and reduce hazardous forest fuels. By removing juniper and other excess biomass material, the Project was able to improve forest health along with mule deer, grouse, and songbird habitat. In addition, the Project produced 5,000 tons of biomass that were used for cogeneration at a sawmill in Burney, California.

-More information is available here: http://www.forestsandrangelands.gov/success/documents/05_CA_BLM_restoration_rehab.pdf

Weaverville Community Forest (Weaverville, California)

The Weaverville Community Forest is a partnership between the Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, and the Trinity County Resource Conservation District. The project has set aside 13,000 acres of federal land to be managed as a community forest. The goal is to promote forest health, hazardous fuels reduction, and community involvement and recreation. Activities include: thinning and logging by local contractors, fuels reduction projects assisted by the public, and community recreation opportunities on a vast network of trails.

-To learn more visit: http://www.tcrcd.net/wcf/index.htm

*If you have a success story you would like to share, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with a brief explanation of the project and a resource that can provide additional information.