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The Forest Guild practices and promotes ecologically, economically, and socially responsible forestry—"excellent forestry." Biomass removals have become a key part of forestry across the country. Whether woody biomass removals are implemented for forest health, fire threat reduction, pulp production, energy needs, or timber stand improvement, the process must leave the forest healthier and help sustain forest dependent communities. The Guild is actively engaged in (1) research into successful strategies for biomass removal, (2) the development of guidelines for biomass removal that protect all forest values, and (3) projects that provide energy from low grade wood. For definitions of woody biomass and some utilization terms click here. | |
Policy: Guidelines for biomass harvesting
The Forest Guild’s new Forest Biomass Retention and Harvesting Guidelines for the Northeast address questions of forest sustainability in a time of increasing interest in harvesting forest biomass for energy security, climate mitigation, and economic reasons. The guidelines are based on the best available science and are a product of a six month effort by a working group of twenty one Forest Guild members. The scientific background for the guidelines is summarized in an accompanying document titled Ecology of Dead Wood in the Northeast. The working group also drew from existing biomass harvesting guidelines developed by states and internationally. These biomass harvesting guidelines are reviewed in the Guild’s newly released Revised Assessment of Biomass Harvesting and Retention Guidelines.
The new Forest Biomass Retention and Harvesting Guidelines for the Northeast are intended to augment and enhance existing Best Management Practices (BMPs) or new state-based biomass guidelines that may, in some cases, leave managers and policy makers looking for more detailed recommendations. It includes guidelines and specific targets for retention of downed woody material, snags, live decaying trees, and offers data to tailor retention to forest type. It also provides suggestions for forest harvest operations, silvicultural practice and carbon management. The Forest Guild guidelines are also the first time carbon considerations have been included in biomass harvesting guidelines.
Following on the heels of the Forest Guild Membership and Policy Committee's unanimous approval on November 10, 2009, the professional membership has voted overwhelmingly to approve the Forest Guild Biomass Policy Statement. This statement will represent the Forest Guild policy on a variety of key issues including the promise and limitations of biomass for energy and its context in an overall energy strategy, protections for forest health, highest and best utilization of biomass, the sustainable use of biomass to mitigate climate change, biomass removals on public lands, and more. Adherence to these policies will ensure that biomass can play an important role in our energy future while sustaining ecosystem health over the long term.
To read the policy statement click here.
As part of the Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition, the Forest Guild helped to draft an issue paper on woody biomass, which includes a vision for woody biomass utilization that helps catalyze rural development and forest restoration. The issue paper also present a policy strategy to support commuinity-scale, integrated woody biomass utilization. The Guild is also part of a team that is working to provide recommendations about biomass harvesting and retention to the state of Massachusetts. Read more here.
Research: Biomass removal case studies identifying strategies for success 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. Our goal is to uncover strategies and techniques used by managers across the country to successfully implement ecologically sound biomass projects. The investigation will be based on case studies of actual, on-the-ground projects. The Forest Guild is involving partners from communities, non-profit organizations, conservation groups, private industry, and federal agencies to collect biomass removal case studies that represent the full range of projects. Case studies cover a broad range of project objectives, treatment techniques, and prescriptions. The woody biomass removals case study project webpage is available here.
Implementation: Community wood energy The Forest Guild is working with communities in the northeastern and southwestern United States to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and rising energy costs with a market-based approach that provides a local, renewable, and carbon neutral energy supply. In Vermont, the Guild is using a pilot project for a Bristol school to develop a prototype community wood energy model that can be successfully adapted across the region. The Forest Guild and its partners are identifying sources for a local, sustainably grown wood supply from forestlands being managed in ways that conserve water quality, maintain site productivity, support biodiversity, increase carbon storage capacity, and improve forest health. In New Mexico, the Forest Guild is leading a forest restoration project that will also generate fuelwood for local use.
Read the Guild's report A Market-Based Approach to Community Wood Energy: An Opportunity for Consulting Foresters (1 page abstract ) or Harnessing the Power of Local Wood Energy (1 page abstract).   
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Forest Wisdom Issue 15
Forest Wisdom #15 is focused on "ecosystem services", in other words the combined benefits people obtain from the natural world. These vital services include supporting functions such as nutrient cycling or soil formation; products such as fresh water and fuel; regulating services such as flood or climate regulation; and cultural resources such as recreational, educational, or aesthetic opportunities. Forest Wisdom 15 includes articles that address the value of forested watersheds, payments for forest carbon, shitake mushrooms as a non-timber forest product, and an assessment of the value of the ecosystem services provided by New Mexico's forests.
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