Jun 2, 2009
Over 40 people came to the stewardship contracting and woody biomass utilization workshop at the Heritage Ag Complex in Tulare recently. About one third of the audience came from Sierra and Sequoia National Forests with representatives from local industry and the community also in attendance.
The first day focused on introducing the tool of Stewardship Contracting including its development and authorities. We concluded with introductions to woody biomass utilization.
The woody biomass utilization track continued on the second morning focusing on existing local markets and potential options for new markets. After looking at environmental community perspectives, air quality issues and funding opportunities we wrapped up with a group based visioning exercise. The 3 themes that emerged were: “Partnership”, “Investment” and “Start Small and Grow”.
After lunch half the group met at the Sierra Forest Products mill in Terra Bella for an excellent and informative tour. We visited both saw lines, the power plant and the landscaping materials processing area. It is interesting to note that the mill buys in fuel (generally agricultural waste) for the power plant and converts most of mill residuals into landscaping products for the southern California market which helps to maximize product value.
Larry Duysen discusses the mill layout on the field tour
The presentations from the workshop are here and we have also included the visioning exercise summary.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the people that helped put the workshop together including the speakers, the Forest Service, Larry and Kent Duysen at Sierra Forest Products and our sponsors: USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry (Region 5), California Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils, Sierra Nevada Conservancy and Sierra Business Council.
[Left to right] Discussing the handling of mill waste (residuals), chips and bark, processed bark, urban wood waste with power plant in background
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