Non-Government
Woody Biomass Utilization Activity
Private initiatives and organization that support the utilization of woody biomass include:
- 25 x 25 Renewable Energy Initiative - A coalition of agriculture, industry and environmental leaders with goal to have America get 25% of its energy from renewable sources by 2025.
- Agenda 2020 Technology Alliance - The Agenda 2020 Technology Alliance is an industry-led partnership with government and academia that holds the promise of reinventing the forest products industry through innovation in processes, materials and markets.
- American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) - Works to bring all forms of renewable energy into the mainstream of America's economy and lifestyle.
- Council on Sustainable Biomass Production (CSBP) - The Council on Sustainable Biomass Production (CSBP) is a multi-stakeholder group developing voluntary biomass to biofuel sustainability principles and standards for the production of feedstocks for second generation refineries (feedstocks for cellulosic refineries).
- Farm Foundation - The Farm Foundation focuses its programming on six priority areas: Globalization; Environmental and Natural Resource Issues; Consumer Issues; Role of Agricultural Institutions; Rural Community Viability; and New Technologies.
- The Forest Guild - The Forest Guild includes field foresters and associated land stewards whose work is broadly acknowledged as providing tangible examples of sustainable forestry. The common bond of Guild members is a passion for forests and for land stewardship. The practice of conservation forestry and the promotion of a stewardship ethic are the heart and soul of the Guild.
- A Market-Based Approach to Community Wood Energy: An Opportunity for Consulting Foresters (PDF, 136 KB) - A report released (November 2008) by the Forest Guild identifies the benefits of community wood energy for rural communities and highlights the central role consulting foresters can play in successful projects. The report utilizes lessons learned from Forest Guild community wood energy pilot projects in Bristol, Vermont and the Mahoosuc Region of Maine and New Hampshire as well as from discussions with Forest Guild members. The report defines a role in these community projects for consulting foresters to develop local networks of family forest landowners to supply wood fuel that is Sustainable, Efficient, Local, and Fair (SELF). In addition to consulting foresters, this report may also be of interest to landowners, policy makers, and community activists.
- Biomass from Forests - The Forest Guild’s Research Program received a grant in September 2007 from the Joint Fire Sciences Program to undertake a year long investigation of biomass removal projects to uncover strategies and techniques that managers across the country are using to successfully implement ecologically sound biomass projects. The investigation will be based on case studies of actual, on-the-ground projects covering a broad range of project objectives, treatment techniques, and prescriptions.
- Herger-Feinstein Quincy Library Group Forest Recovery Act Implementation On the Eagle Lake Ranger District, Lassen National Forest - Illustration of projects being implemented by the staff of the Eagle Lake Ranger District of Lassen National Forest under the Herger-Feinstein Quincy Library Group Forest Recovery Act of 2000, which can be implemented in a cost effective manner and still provide for owl habitat and old-growth characteristics.
Pinchot Institute - The Pinchot institute advances conservation and sustainable natural resource management by developing innovative, practical, and broadly supported solutions to conservation challenges and opportunities.
- Pinchot Institute's Wood-Based Bioenergy: A National Dialogue - The Pinchot Institute, in collaboration with a myriad of other interested groups, convened a national dialogue on how best to take advantage of opportunities provided by wood bioenergy technologies. The dialogue introduced those in the conservation community along with organizations from the energy, agricultural, rural economic development and sustainable forestry interests to identify potential risks to important conservation values which may arise from the development of these new and emerging technologies.
- U.S. Combined Heat and Power Association - Works in coordination with a variety of government programs in the promotion of combined heat and power.
- Western Forestry Leadership Coalition - Programs assist family forest-owners, rural and state fire organizations, and community forestry groups to help improve forest health, encourage land conservation, and stimulate community economic recovery.