Who Are We?

The Woody Biomass Utilization Group is an outgrowth of the former University of California Forest Products Laboratory (UCFPL) that was closed in 2004 in response to changing priorities within the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the UC Berkeley College of Natural Resources.

After nearly 50 years of research focus on the properties, mechanical processing, durability, and chemical processing of commercial species; an interest began to develop in woody biomass and underutilized wood resources. This new direction opened opportunities for state and federal funding. Beginning in 2005 and continuing to today, the California Department of Forestry and the US Forest Service – Region 5 State and Private Forestry began cooperative agreements with UC Berkeley to fund projects with former UCFPL academic Cooperative Extension staff.

These projects are aimed at developing the utilization of the hardwood and woody biomass component of forests that often are the fuel source of catastrophic wildfires, and minimizing the risks associated with wildfire. These projects include:

1. Improving the capacity and markets for wood biomass utilization
2. Wood properties of Pacific Island hardwoods
3. Hazardous fuels removal technologies
4. Research into commercialization of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage

Current Staff