The USDA Forest Service announced it is now accepting applications for approximately $10 million in funding through the Wood Innovations Grant and the Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Grant.

These grants seek to support local economies through wood products and wood energy innovations while reducing hazardous fuels and improving forest health.

“Healthy and productive markets for wood products and wood energy are integral to supporting sustainable management and improving conditions of our nation’s forested lands,” said Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen. “We can enhance the health and resilience of public and private forests while fostering innovation and strengthening economic opportunities around wood products.”

Wood Innovations

The Wood Innovations Grant program has a long track record of success and seeks to strengthen emerging markets for innovative wood products such as mass timber and cross-laminated timber.

Eligible projects would increase wood products manufacturing capacity, strengthen markets that support forest ecosystem restoration and develop commercial facilities for wood biomass and wood products, among others.

The application for 2021 Wood Innovations Grants closes January 20, 2021.

Wood Energy

The Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Grant program aims to support forest health by expanding renewable wood energy use and innovative manufacturing for wood products.

The grant helps to fund the costs of installing wood energy systems or building innovative wood product facilities. In 2020 the program supported projects in seven rural communities in five states.

The application for the 2021 Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Grant program closes February 3, 2021.

Visit the Forest Service’s Wood Innovations website for more information on these grant programs..

For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming and more, visit the PA Forestry Association website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates.

(Reprinted from the November PA Forestry Association newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

Related Articles:

-- PA Forestry Assn. Recognizes Rebecca Trigger & Mark Foley With 2020 PA Tree Farm Of The Year Award; Robb Piper Tree Farm Inspector Of The Year

-- PA Forestry Assn. Highlights First Discovering PA’s Forest Heritage Video; Working Forests Video

-- Penn State Extension: Introduction To Forests, Carbon Sequestration & Markets Webinars Nov. 24, Dec. 15

[Posted: November 12, 2020]

11/16/2020