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The Tree Frog Forestry News
February 2, 2026
Category: Today's Takeaway
Hello early bird! We just want you to know that the news team is busy adding stories to this page. Be sure to check back at 9:00 am (PST) for the full line up of articles.
City of Nanaimo director Manly spearheads raw log exports resolution
By Karl Yu
Cowichan Valley Citizen
January 28, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada West
The Regional District of Nanaimo board will plead with fellow municipalities to pressure the B.C. and Canadian governments to prohibit raw log exports. At the Jan. 27 RDN board meeting, Paul Manly, City of Nanaimo director, proposed a resolution for the upcoming Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities conference, asking B.C. local governments to call on senior government to “ban the export of raw logs and lumber cants from B.C. to ensure that forests harvested [on] Crown land and private-managed forest lands are processed in B.C.…” The resolution passed and will be brought before AVICC. Should it pass there, it would be forwarded to the Union of B.C. Municipalities. Manly …pointed to recent mill closures on the Island, with a key factor being “lack of accessible and affordable fibre”. …Leanne Salter, Coombs area director, said she thought the resolution needed to be tweaked.
Cherie Whelan has been named the new chief executive officer of the B.C. Forest Safety Council. She takes over on April 1 from Rob Moonen, who announced his retirement in October. Whelan served as CEO of the Newfoundland & Labrador Construction Safety Association for two years and previously held the position of director of SAFE Companies at B.C. Forest Safety Council. The Nanaimo-based council delivers safety training and advisory services to British Columbia’s forest industry.
Nathanson, Schachter & Thompson LLP is proud to announce that Karen Carteri, K.C. has been appointed King’s Counsel by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Attorney General of British Columbia. The official announcement from the Attorney General states: Karen Carteri (2002) is a partner at Nathanson Schachter and Thompson LLP, one of Canada’s leading litigation firms. A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, bachelor of laws with distinction, Carteri specializes in complex commercial litigation and arbitration, including property development, mining, partnership disputes, title insurance, director liability, shareholder remedies, civil forfeiture, contract interpretation, financial institution disputes, fraud and cross-border matters. She is ranked among Canada’s top litigators and serves as an arbitrator with the Vancouver International Arbitration Centre. She received the Vancouver Bar Association’s Hyndman Mentorship Award and contributes to continuing legal education programs, pro bono work and community boards.
MNP is hiring a Forestry Program Management Consultant
By MNP
LinkedIn
January 28, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada West
Make an impact with our Forestry Program Management Consulting Team as a Consultant and program lead. Our diverse team of professionals deliver program administration for a large forestry grant funding organization. As a trusted advisor, you’ll collaborate with the team in the delivery of forestry-related projects within the funding programs. Our team is based in Edmonton and works in our downtown office, this is an in-person, on-site position. The forestry Consultant supports the delivery and administration of forestry funding programs, working with government, industry, Indigenous groups, academics, and other stakeholders. The role involves managing and assessing projects such as silviculture, habitat restoration, wildfire mitigation, and forest health, including tracking activities, reviewing deliverables and expenses, and preparing reports. Responsibilities also include proposal review support, developing Requests for Proposals, limited GIS use, occasional field assessments, and providing advice to senior management and boards, while contributing to the growth of MNP’s forestry consulting practice.
First Nation leader urges B.C. to maintain DRIPA as Eskay Creek mine deal is signed
By Wolfgang Depner
Canadian Press in Business in Vancouver
January 27, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada West
VICTORIA — The president of the Tahltan Central Government, Kerry Carlick, said British Columbia shouldn’t change its Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, just as the First Nation and the provincial government celebrate a landmark agreement based on the legislation. Carlick said it is not a “good idea to take anything away from DRIPA,” adding that “if anything, it should be strengthened.” Carlick was speaking at an event with deputy premier Niki Sharma where they co-signed an agreement to share mineral tax revenue from the Eskay Creek mine. The ceremony came after the provincial government issued an environmental assessment certificate to Eskay Creek Mining Ltd. to restart gold and silver mining after a first-of-its kind collaborative assessment process with the First Nation under DRIPA. The provincial government has said it plans to revise the act after a series of court rulings around Aboriginal title, responding specifically to those decisions.
President Trump Orders Decertification Of All Canadian Made Aircraft, Likely Affecting Numerous Wildfire Platforms
The Hotshot Wake Up Substack
January 29, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: United States
President Trump put out a statement on social media saying he will decertify “all aircraft made in Canada.” This statement could have wide reaching consequences for the wildfire aviation world. Numerous aircraft made in Canada are widely used in wildfire operations… The President’s statement says this decertification will remain in place until U.S. made Gulfstream aircraft are certified in Canada. What does it mean if you decertify an aircraft in the United States? It basically grounds it. In the United States, decertifying an aircraft typically means deregistering it with the Federal Aviation Administration or revoking its airworthiness certificate. …In addition to decertifying all Canadian aircraft, the president says that if the situation drags on, a 50% tariff will be imposed on all aircraft purchased from Canada. …Getting a decertified plane back into the air is a complex process. …One good solution would be a statement saying, “ALL WILDFIRE AIRCRAFT ARE EXEMPT FROM THIS ORDER.”
American Forest & Paper Association Elects Domtar’s Steve Henry as Chair
American Forest & Paper Association
January 29, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: United States
Steve Henry
WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today announced Steve Henry, Domtar’s Paper & Packaging CEO & President USA, as incoming Board chair. He joined other pulp, paper, packaging and tissue product industry leaders at the association’s Winter Board of Directors’ Meeting on January 29. “Steve is a trusted leader whose deep industry knowledge and steady commitment to our shared priorities will serve the Board and the entire AF&PA membership well,” said AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock. “I’m grateful for his willingness to serve and confident he will help guide the association through another year of meaningful progress.” The AF&PA Board of Directors consists of top industry leaders who represent a broad spectrum of companies in the paper and wood products manufacturing sector. These companies operate mills and converting operations in nearly every state across the country, often in rural communities.
NRLA–MRLDA Government Affairs Program Delivers Million Dollar Savings for Massachusetts Lumber Dealers
Northeastern Retail Lumber Association
January 30, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: US East
Boston, MA — The Northeastern Retail Lumber Association (NRLA), working closely with the Massachusetts Retail Lumber Dealers Association (MRLDA), continues to deliver measurable, bottom-line results for independent and family-owned lumber and building material dealers across the Commonwealth by stopping costly mandates, advancing workforce development, and addressing rising operating expenses. What You Should Know
Forced Transition to All-Electric Trucks Stopped: Repealing the mandate saved the average independent Massachusetts lumber dealer an estimated $1.1–$1.6 million in avoided truck replacement and on-site charging infrastructure costs, while keeping vehicle and equipment investments local.
Credit Card Fees Under Review: study and recommend reforms to credit card swipe fees.
Workforce Development Barriers Being Removed: Studying multilingual forklift certification testing, expanding opportunity for Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking workers and helping dealers upskill their workforce.
Housing Affordability Preserved: Additional mandates on new home construction… helping keep housing affordable for Massachusetts families.
LP Building Solutions announces board leadership succession
LP Building Solutions
January 28, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: US East
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, a leading manufacturer of high-performance building products, today announced its Board of Directors has elected F. Nicholas Grasberger III as independent Chairperson of the Board, effective Feb. 19, 2026. Grasberger’s appointment follows current Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer W. Bradley Southern’s decision to retire from the Board, including his role as director and Chairperson, on the same date. “Nick brings significant financial expertise and long-standing familiarity with LP’s business and strategy,” said Lead Independent Director Dustan E. McCoy. “Having served on the Board for more than six years, he is well positioned to assume the role of Chairperson, and we look forward to his leadership.” Grasberger has served on LP’s Board since 2019 and currently serves on its Compensation, Finance and Audit, and Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committees.
National Wooden Pallet & Container Association Becomes Woodpack Global
PR Newswire
January 26, 2026
Category: Business & Politics
Region: United States, US East
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (NWPCA) today announced that it is officially becoming Woodpack Global, a name that reflects the explosive growth, cutting-edge innovation, and boundless capacity that define today’s wooden packaging sector. As global supply chains evolve at breakneck speed, this rebranding captures the industry’s unstoppable momentum and its critical role in moving the world’s goods. The rebrand follows extensive planning and significant input from members, industry stakeholders, and the association’s Board of Directors. The decision signals a shared goal: adopting a name that is shorter, more memorable, and more representative of the full scope of wood packaging in today’s industry, expanding the association’s impact. Board Chair Hinton H. Howell of Hinton Lumber Products emphasized the balance between honoring the association’s roots and preparing for the future.
BCIT launches national platform: Modern Methods of Construction Education
Education News Canada
January 30, 2026
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: Canada West
The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) launches a national platform, Modern Methods of Construction Education (MMC Edu), bringing education and industry together to advance the future of construction education and training in Canada. The platform is an outcome of the Mass Timber Training Network: Advancing Trades for a Sustainable Future (MTAT) project. The project convened a national network to support the advancement of wood as a low-carbon building material by addressing major barriers to mass timber adoption across Canada. The MTAT network focuses on education and training as a key vehicle for reducing barriers and empowering the next generation of the workforce with the skills needed to succeed in modernized construction. In partnership with Natural Resources Canada (NR Can) and the Green Construction Through Wood Program (GC Wood), BCIT is building the foundation for a skilled workforce in mass timber and off-site construction supporting innovation, sustainability, and workforce readiness across the sector.
Katajanokan Laituri in Helsinki, Finland, is a solid-wood office and hotel building that sets an example of the possibilities of wood construction. The first new building on the formerly industrial Katajanokka waterfront, the office connects to Helsinki’s iconic maritime cityscape. A double-structure on the facade, with an outer layer of glass, aluminum, and granite that protects the exposed wood structures from the maritime weather, connects the building to the wider cityscape. …The building’s above-ground structures use standard industrial prefabricated massive wood products. The post-beam frame and the facade structure are made of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) produced in Varkaus, Finland. The inner walls and lift and staircase shafts that stiffen the structure, as well as the floor and roof structures, are made of cross laminated timber (CLT) produced in Gruvön, Sweden.
Over 7.3B seedlings needed to restore just 15% of forests burned by wildfire from 2023-25
Canadian Tree Nursery Association
January 30, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada
Victoria, BC—New data reveals a staggering gap in Canada’s post-wildfire forest restoration efforts. Current programs are restoring only a small fraction of forests lost to recent wildfires. The Canadian Tree Nursery Association (CTNA-ACPF) today issued a call for immediate and substantive action from provincial and federal governments to dramatically increase commitments to restoring wildfire-impacted forests. Speaking at the Western Forest Contractors Association Annual General Meeting and Conference, Rob Keen, RPF, Executive Director of the CTNA-ACPF, warned that more than 7.3 billion seedlings are required to restore just 15% of the forests destroyed by wildfires between 2023 and 2025—more than 10 times Canada’s current annual seedling production capacity. …Despite rapidly escalating need, restoration efforts are being undermined by funding instability and declining production capacity. …To address this national emergency, the CTNA-ACPF is calling for the creation of a National Post-Wildfire Forest Restoration Program to secure the future of Canada’s Crown forests.
Indigenous Partnerships and Forestry: A Q&A with JP Gladu
By Brenda Martin
Domtar Corporation
January 20, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada
Domtar’s Brenda Martin speaks with JP Gladu, an Indigenous economic development leader and member of Domtar’s External Sustainability Advisory Committee. Their conversation focuses on the importance of strong, respectful partnerships between forestry companies and Indigenous communities. Gladu shares how his upbringing and decades of experience shaped his commitment to collaboration and mutual opportunity. He highlights a landmark example at Lake Nipigon, where First Nations gained full forest management control and built a productive relationship with Domtar, evolving into shared problem-solving and market access. Gladu emphasizes that the future of Indigenous partnerships in forestry requires investing in Indigenous-owned business infrastructure—not just jobs—to build local capacity and strengthen the industry. He advises companies to truly understand community needs by spending time listening and learning, rather than making assumptions. His insights extend beyond forestry, applying to broader economic reconciliation and sustainable partnerships.
Squamish duo joins fight against old-growth logging on Vancouver Island
By Liz McDonald
The Squamish Chief
January 29, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West
Sarah Higgins
Two people living in Squamish recently returned from the Walbran blockade on Vancouver Island, hopeful for meaningful change to prevent old growth logging in B.C. Sarah Higgins was inspired to take action while finishing her undergraduate degree in international studies at Simon Fraser University. “It felt so wrong to just sit there and write an essay about it, and then close my laptop and walk away, and then I saw on the news that this blockade was ongoing on Vancouver Island. And that was kind of all the motivation I needed,” she said. …Joel Gillman arrived at the blockade in December after RCMP enforcement dismantled the cougar camp, a camp where blockaders created a giant wooden sculpture of a cougar. …As an outdoor recreationalist, he believes these forests should be protected for benefit beyond economics. The two were there on invitation from Pacheedaht Elder Bill Jones, whose traditional territory is being logged.
Forest Enhancement Society of BC project updates from around the province
Forest Enhancement Society of BC
January 30, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West
The latest newsletter from the Forest Enhancement Society of BC reflects on ongoing forestry challenges and emphasizes the value of collaboration, proactive planning, and shared solutions to strengthen forest health and resilience across British Columbia. It highlights a safety tip from the BC Forest Safety Council focused on mental health support for forestry workers, offering a free, confidential service to help industry professionals navigate stress. The newsletter also announces a new Extension Specialist position through a partnership with the Silviculture Innovation Program (SIP) aimed at translating technical and field knowledge into practical forestry resources. There’s a Faces of Forestry feature on Jennifer Grenz, plus links to a range of recent FESBC-funded project stories — from wildfire rehabilitation to biomass utilization — showcasing work being done by partners and communities province-wide.
B.C.’s forestry industry raises alarm about trees lost to forest fires
By Mary Griffin
Chek News
January 29, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West
Another dire warning is coming from B.C.’s forest industry, but this time from the tree-planting side, with those working in reforestation saying funding is running out as record wildfires took out huge sections of the province’s forests. A Western Forest Products greenhouse in Saanichton produces hundreds of thousands of tree seedlings. Many will be planted on Vancouver Island, according to Christina Lavoie, nursery supervisor, Western Forest Products, Saanich Forestry Centre. B.C. logging companies are legally required to restore the trees they harvest, but as the industry shrinks, fewer trees are being planted. Add to that the loss of trees due to years of record forest fires. …At the Western Forestry Contractors’ Association annual conference, there is concern about just how many trees are being lost to forest fires, and pests on public lands. …Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says he’s working with industry on solutions.
Regional District of Nanaimo thanks Mosaic for reducing Hamilton Marsh price to $28M
Parksville Qualicum News
January 29, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West
The Regional District of Nanaimo and Mosaic Forest Management continue to work together toward securing Hamilton Marsh lands as a regional park and conservation area. Mosaic has agreed to revise the purchase terms to $28 million from $30 million, subject to RDN board approval, in their efforts to help the RDN preserve the site. With the lower purchase price and generous support from the community and other agencies, which will to announced if all the conditions of the purchase agreement are satisfied, the RDN and Mosaic are optimistic a deal can be concluded to secure the “critical forest and wetland area.” “We thank Mosaic Forest Management for continuing to work with the RDN to acquire this ecologically significant land and for their reduction in the purchase price,” said Stuart McLean, RDN chair. …Hamilton Marsh, owned by Island Timberlands and managed by Mosaic Forest Management, is situated south of Qualicum Beach.
In our January update, we begin by thanking community forest leaders across BC for their continued commitment and resilience. We also share several internal updates, including new team capacity focused on wildfire resilience, communications, and planning for our Indicators Report and upcoming conference. Read important policy and reporting updates, including changes to the provincial Logging Residue and Waste Measurement Procedures Manual, along with a reminder to participate in the annual Logging Cost Survey, which plays a key role in stumpage calculations. We highlight progress on wildfire risk reduction, including funding opportunities supported through our partnership with the BC Wildfire Service. Member news includes updates on tenure expansion for the Nakusp and Area Community Forest. Safety and well-being remain a priority, and we share information on free mental health supports available to forestry workers, along with the latest WorkSafeBC resources. Finally, don’t miss new tools and resources, sector news, and upcoming events, including our 2026 Conference and AGM in Vernon.
The latest Woodlots Weekly from Woodlots BC kicks off with a call for feedback on access gates—licensees are asked to share their experiences managing gated roads on their woodlots to help gauge how widespread this practice is and inform future discussion. Executive Director Gord Chipman then emphasizes the importance of sharing Woodlots BC social media content to broaden understanding of the great forestry work happening on small woodlots and help spread that message beyond the immediate community. The newsletter features a member spotlight on veteran woodlot licensee Gary Burns from the Slocan Valley and points readers to a short video highlighting his long-term stewardship. Updates include changes to the waste and residue policy by the Ministry of Forests, including new effective dates for the interior and coastal regions, and announcements about the 2026 SISCO workshop and a range of upcoming forestry events.
Support for the North Island College Forestry Program in Campbell River
BC Truck Loggers Association
January 28, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West
The BC Truck Loggers Association sent a letter to the North Island College regarding the potential discontinuation of two forestry programs. This would mean a significant loss of forestry education for the forest industry, and we’re asking for your support by copying and pasting our letter into an email and sending it to the college Board of Governors at bog@nic.bc.ca …The North Island College forestry programs are an essential contributor to education and economic opportunity for students in Campbell River and the north Island and provides an important stream of new graduates for forestry businesses. The program has strong backing from local industry, government and First Nations, and it would be regrettable to see the program discontinued at a time when sustained investment in forestry education is vital to British Columbia’s future.
Indigenous Economic Pathways and PEFC Canada Sign MOU to Advance Indigenous-Led Forest Certification in Canada
The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)
January 20, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West
Vancouver, BC — Indigenous Economic Pathways (IEP) and PEFC Canada are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on advancing Indigenous-led group forest management certification in Canada. This partnership supports First Nations leadership in forestry by co-developing certification pathways that reflect Indigenous stewardship, governance, and values, while strengthening access to markets, capacity, and long-term economic opportunity. The collaboration represents a practical step forward in advancing Indigenous economic reconciliation within Canada’s forest sector. Through this MOU, IEP and PEFC Canada will work together to support Indigenous Nations and organizations interested in forest certification models that are locally appropriate, scalable, and aligned with Indigenous priorities, while remaining nationally and internationally recognized.
When Science Becomes a Target: Bruce Blackwell and the Stanley Park recovery project
By Forestnet
YouTube
January 23, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West
This episode explains how wildfire risk in British Columbia is shaped by both climate trends and a century of fire suppression, and what that means for urban forests, hazard abatement and provincial policy. In conversation with Bruce Blackwell, M.Sc., R.P.F., R.P.Bio., Principal of Blackwell Consulting Ltd., we cover frontline experience from the Stanley Park hemlock looper response to municipal wildfire mitigation and watershed risk work. Bruce draws on more than 36 years of applied forestry and fire‑and‑fuels practice to explain why he frames today’s wildfire challenge as roughly “50% climate” and “50% legacy fuel buildup,” how risk should be prioritized (probability × consequence), and why urban and high‑use sites demand different operational standards—examples include ISA TRAC risk assessments, helicopter removals in Stanley Park, and integrated backburning tactics.
The Silviculture Innovation Program and the Forest Enhancement Society of BC Launch New Extension Specialist Role
Forest Enhancement Society of BC
January 27, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West
British Columbia: The Silviculture Innovation Program (SIP) and the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) are pleased to announce a newly formalized partnership focused on funding projects that develop new practices and information to help benefit future practitioners of forestry in B.C. Through this collaboration, SIP and FESBC will be hiring an Extension Specialist who will focus on translating technical, research-based, and field-tested knowledge gathered from around the province into practical, accessible resources that support learning, innovation, and on-the-ground application. …Through this partnership, SIP and FESBC are committing shared resources to evaluate project outcomes and communicate key learnings, ensuring that the benefits of this work are broadly understood and usable by practitioners. …Both SIP and FESBC will be attending the Forest Professionals of BC Conference in Vancouver from February 4-6, 2026. Conference attendees are encouraged to stop by and learn more about the position and the partnership.
Local 89 testifies in Ontario pre-budget consultations
By Ian Boyko
Unifor
January 29, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada East
Alexander Dumais
Unifor Local 89 President Alex Dumais presented testimony about the province’s forestry sector to the Ontario Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs on January 27. Dumais outlined how the combination of softwood duties and Trump tariffs have contributed to record job losses in the sector as closures and curtailments spread across the province. He described how the losses impact the small communities who rely on the economic activity driven by forestry. “The integrated nature of the forestry sector means the closure of a single mill creates direct job losses, but also spin-off job losses both upstream and downstream,” said Dumais. “Without a plan to transform the forestry sector at the same time, the industry will still face crisis and decline.” Dumais shared Unifor’s Fight for Forestry policy solutions to get the sector back on track, including income support and a national industrial strategy for forestry that coordinates government, industry, and labour’s efforts.
Corner Brook is one of three places in Canada taking part in pilot project on a wildfire resiliency template
By Tonya Organ
Bay FM 100.1
January 28, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, Canada East
It’s called the “Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan” and is funded by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre or the CIFFC. Corner Brook is one of three places in Canada taking part in a project that will lead to the creation of a national template to follow during wildfires. It’s called the “Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan” and is funded by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre or the CIFFC. At this week’s public council meeting, the Supervisor of Fire Management Coordination, Jeff Motty was on hand to talk about work the team has done since starting during the end of September. This included an assessment and analysis which will be used in a template for groups across the nation.
Conservationists sue Trump admin over rule cutting public comments on forest projects
By Monique Merrill
Courthouse News Service
January 28, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: United States
Two conservation groups are suing the Trump administration, challenging a U.S. Department of Agriculture rule that strips public comment requirements from most national forest projects. In a federal lawsuit, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Sierra Club accuse the Trump administration of violating environmental law by approving an interim final rule that eliminates the requirement for federal agencies to solicit public comments during project reviews. “It’s illegal and unjust for Trump to shut out the American public while wrecking our national forests so mining, logging and oil companies can make a quick buck,” said Wendy Park, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. “We’re suing to make sure people have a say in what happens on their public lands, as they have for 50 years.” The conservation groups named the Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service — along with their administrators — as defendants.
Intertribal Timber Council Leaders Travel to Brussels to Educate EU Officials on Indigenous Forest Management and the EUDR
By Intertribal Timber Council
PR Newswire
January 28, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, International
BRUSSELS — Leaders of the Intertribal Timber Council (ITC) are in Brussels this week to meet with European Union officials to explain how the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) is affecting Indigenous forest managers in the United States. President Cody Desautel, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and Vice President Phil Rigdon, Yakama Nation, are meeting with representatives of several European countries to discuss Tribal sovereignty, Indigenous forest governance, and the impacts of EUDR implementation on Tribal Nations that manage millions of acres of forestland under long-standing, legally protected stewardship systems. The EUDR… aims to prevent global deforestation by requiring traceability and geolocation data… Tribal leaders say these requirements do not distinguish between high-risk deforestation contexts and low-risk forests sustainably managed under Tribal law, U.S. federal law, and treaty obligations. Detailed geolocation and traceability requirements raise concerns about Indigenous data sovereignty and protection of culturally and ecologically sensitive areas.
University of Wyoming professors establish Teton study sites in global forest database
By Monica Stout
Buckrail
January 29, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: US West
JACKSON, Wyo. — A new forest-monitoring site in the Teton Range has been added to an international network of forest plots and research scientists who track long-term tree health over time. A system of six plots in the Teton area is now included in Forest Global Earth Observatory (ForestGEO) Network database. Two University of Wyoming (UW) professors, Tucker Furniss and Sara Germain, co-founded the new study site, which was established in 2024 and officially joined the network in 2025. The main plot, 25 hectares on the north shore of Bradley Lake in Grand Teton National Park, consists of “upper-montane, mixed-conifer forest,” says the ForestGEO website. Five smaller plots make up the local network, each one 4 hectares or smaller. …ForestGEO is an initiative managed by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, which established the first site in Panama in 1981. The network is dedicated to the long-term study of trees and forests around the world.
Pinyon-juniper woodlands provide food for rare birds, cover for predator species and wood for Southern Utahns, and they dominate the state’s forests. But land managers face a paradox: while many pinyon-juniper species are declining due to climate stress, others are expanding into sensitive habitats, forcing difficult tradeoffs. This forest type encompasses approximately 60% — 8 million acres — of Utah’s woodlands and a significant percentage of Dixie National Forest. “It’s our most common forest type,” said Darren McAvoy, a forestry and wildland resources specialist at Utah State University Extension’s Wildland Resources Department. “It is important for so many different wildlife species, and it’s the one that we live in the most in a lot of places, especially down in St. George.” Pinyon-juniper woodlands can typically be found between 5,000 and 8,000 feet in elevation, and tend to be a “bit scrubby,” he told St. George News.
Washington timber industry sees ‘ecosystem services’ as another cut
By Don Jenkins
Capital Press
January 29, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: US West
The Washington wood-products industry says timber harvests will spiral downward if lawmakers pass a bill championed by Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove. At Upthegrove’s request, legislators are considering authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to sell “ecosystem services,” possibly by delaying or canceling timber harvests. DNR officials say ecosystem services could be a new source of revenue as businesses buy carbon credits to “offset” their emissions. Carbon credits could add to the money rural counties and schools receive from timber sales, according to DNR. The timber industry, backed by the Washington State Association of Counties, argues its more likely ecosystem services would replace timber sales. Rural public services would get less money, Paul Jewell, the counties’ policy director, said. More importantly, rural counties will lose timber jobs, he said. “Sales of ecosystem services can’t replace those economic benefits,” he told the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 28.
The Idaho Forest Products Commission (IFPC) is excited to announce the launch of a new design for the existing Timber specialty license plate. The new plate reads: “Forests Forever: Manage. Harvest. Plant. Repeat.” Featuring a stunning landscape of Idaho forests, the plate allows Idahoans to show their love for the outdoors while directly supporting reforestation and environmental education for youth across the state. “The new plate highlights a simple, powerful message: With care, Idaho’s forests can and will be forever,” said Jennifer Okerlund, IFPC Director. “Supporting thoughtful management, responsible harvest, and replanting ensures this.” Forest management is vital to healthy, sustainable forests in Idaho and for every one tree harvested, seven are growing for the future. Proceeds from each Timber “Forest Forever” plate help fund replanting projects and environmental public education about sustainable forestry, wildfire prevention and programs that connect Idaho youth with the outdoors.
Federal judge ends oft-used exemption to environmental review for logging on federal land
By Alex Baumhardt
Oregon Capital Chronicle
January 27, 2026
Category: Forestry
Region: US West
A 34-year-old rule exempting some commercial logging projects on federal lands from environmental review is unlawful, a federal judge recently ruled. Judge Michael McShane in the U.S. District Court in Medford earlier this month struck down the exemption, and with it, reversed recent approvals for three commercial logging projects covering tens of thousands of acres in Fremont-Winema National Forest in southern Oregon. The decision is the result of a 2022 lawsuit brought against the U.S. Forest Service by regional conservation groups Oregon Wild, WildEarth Guardians and GO Alliance. Since 1992, the U.S. Forest Service has been able to bypass environmental reviews required by federal law for logging projects on federal land, if the logging is meant to “improve forest stand conditions,” habitat or prevent wildfires, without “significant effect” on the human environment.
What do northern communities need to make bioenergy projects successful? That was a key question addressed during the Arctic Bioenergy Summit and Tour in Yellowknife earlier this week. Hosted by the Arctic Energy Alliance and Wood Pellet Association of Canada, the event began with a day-long tour of buildings in Yellowknife that use biomass heating systems followed by a two-day conference at the Chateau Nova Hotel. “We’re the lead jurisdiction in Canada in terms of adoption of biomass for space heating and wood pellets,” Mark Heyck, executive director of the Arctic Energy Alliance, told Cabin Radio. “We want to continue that conversation, see where the future of that fuel source is going here in the Northwest Territories, but also learn from other jurisdictions in Canada and around the circumpolar world about what they’re working on.” …Following the conference, the Arctic Energy Alliance hosted a biomass boiler operator training course.
In 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service awarded $80 million in Wood Innovation Grantsto support wood products manufacturing, expand active forest management, and accelerate energy innovation. West Biofuels is one past grant recipient showing how investing in wood innovations can power rural communities and increase the health of our nation’s forests. National forests and grasslands provide plenty for the American public, from recreation opportunities to resources like drinking water, minerals, gas, oil and timber. Forests across the country are also ramping up production of another common good—electricity. The Hat Creek Bioenergy Facility, located in Burney, California, began Commercial Operations in late June and converts biomass from surrounding forests into electricity for the local grid. The facility hosted its ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 10 to celebrate the commissioning and successful first months of operations.
Biomass-to-Jet Sustainable Aviation Fuel Projects Position Renewable Hydrocarbons as the Future of Aviation Fuel
By Market News Updates
Cision Newswire
January 28, 2026
Category: Carbon, Climate & Bioenergy
Region: United States
NEW YORK — Biomass-to-jet fuel is becoming one of the most practical ways to cut aviation emissions, and investors are starting to notice. Airlines need cleaner fuel that works with today’s planes, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made from biomass does exactly that. As demand grows, long-term airline supply agreements, government incentives, and carbon-reduction mandates are helping turn these projects into predictable, revenue-generating businesses rather than experimental climate ideas present opportunity for companies… What makes these projects even more attractive is environmental-asset monetization. In simple terms, biomass-to-jet facilities don’t just sell fuel — they also create valuable environmental credits tied to lower emissions and renewable energy use. These credits can be sold for cash or used strategically to improve project economics. …Together, biomass-to-jet development and environmental-asset monetization offer a clear, easy-to-understand investment story.
Are Wood Pellets Worth Billions In Subsidies? Drax Faces A Reckoning
By Ken Silverstein
Forbes Magazine
January 28, 2026
Category: Carbon, Climate & Bioenergy
Region: International
The energy industry initially sold wood pellets as a way to clean up coal. And governments bought into that assumption. But now policymakers are questioning that position and even reversing course. At the center of this debate is a UK-based power company called Drax, which converted Europe’s largest coal plant into a biomass facility—one fueled by wood pellets that it imported from southern states in the United States. The debate raises a multitude of questions, namely those centered on pollution and costs. That is, if the additive creates more pollution than either wind or solar energy, why bother, especially since it comes from a power source that depends on subsidies? Merry Dickinson, campaign director for the Dogwood Alliance, told me that Drax now operates entirely on woody biomass… “The amount of wood required … is beyond what is available as waste wood,” Dickinson says. “…much of the supply consists of whole trees.” [Forbes allows 4 free articles per month]
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The Regional District of Nanaimo board will plead with fellow municipalities to pressure the B.C. and Canadian governments to prohibit raw log exports. At the Jan. 27 RDN board meeting, Paul Manly, City of Nanaimo director, proposed a resolution for the upcoming Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities conference, asking B.C. local governments to call on senior government to “ban the export of raw logs and lumber cants from B.C. to ensure that forests harvested [on] Crown land and private-managed forest lands are processed in B.C.…” The resolution passed and will be brought before AVICC. Should it pass there, it would be forwarded to the Union of B.C. Municipalities. Manly …pointed to recent mill closures on the Island, with a key factor being “lack of accessible and affordable fibre”. …Leanne Salter, Coombs area director, said she thought the resolution needed to be tweaked.
Cherie Whelan has been named the new chief executive officer of the B.C. Forest Safety Council. She takes over on April 1 from Rob Moonen, who announced his retirement in October. Whelan served as CEO of the Newfoundland & Labrador Construction Safety Association for two years and previously held the position of director of SAFE Companies at B.C. Forest Safety Council. The Nanaimo-based council delivers safety training and advisory services to British Columbia’s forest industry.
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VICTORIA — The president of the Tahltan Central Government, Kerry Carlick, said British Columbia shouldn’t change its Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, just as the First Nation and the provincial government celebrate a landmark agreement based on the legislation. Carlick said it is not a “good idea to take anything away from DRIPA,” adding that “if anything, it should be strengthened.” Carlick was speaking at an event with deputy premier Niki Sharma where they co-signed an agreement to share mineral tax revenue from the Eskay Creek mine. The ceremony came after the provincial government issued an environmental assessment certificate to Eskay Creek Mining Ltd. to restart gold and silver mining after a first-of-its kind collaborative assessment process with the First Nation under DRIPA. The provincial government has said it plans to revise the act after a series of court rulings around Aboriginal title, responding specifically to those decisions.
ALEXANDRIA, Va.
The latest newsletter from the Forest Enhancement Society of BC reflects on ongoing forestry challenges and emphasizes the value of collaboration, proactive planning, and shared solutions to strengthen forest health and resilience across British Columbia. It highlights a safety tip from the BC Forest Safety Council focused on mental health support for forestry workers, offering a free, confidential service to help industry professionals navigate stress. The newsletter also announces a new Extension Specialist position through a partnership with the Silviculture Innovation Program (SIP) aimed at translating technical and field knowledge into practical forestry resources. There’s a Faces of Forestry feature on Jennifer Grenz, plus links to a range of recent FESBC-funded project stories — from wildfire rehabilitation to biomass utilization — showcasing work being done by partners and communities province-wide.
Another dire warning is coming from B.C.’s forest industry, but this time from the tree-planting side, with those working in reforestation saying funding is running out as record wildfires took out huge sections of the province’s forests. A Western Forest Products greenhouse in Saanichton produces hundreds of thousands of tree seedlings. Many will be planted on Vancouver Island, according to Christina Lavoie, nursery supervisor, Western Forest Products, Saanich Forestry Centre. B.C. logging companies are legally required to restore the trees they harvest, but as the industry shrinks, fewer trees are being planted. Add to that the loss of trees due to years of record forest fires. …At the Western Forestry Contractors’ Association annual conference, there is concern about just how many trees are being lost to forest fires, and pests on public lands. …Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says he’s working with industry on solutions.
The BC Truck Loggers Association sent a letter to the North Island College regarding the potential discontinuation of two forestry programs. This would mean a significant loss of forestry education for the forest industry, and we’re asking for your support by copying and pasting our letter into an email and sending it to the college Board of Governors at bog@nic.bc.ca …The North Island College forestry programs are an essential contributor to education and economic opportunity for students in Campbell River and the north Island and provides an important stream of new graduates for forestry businesses. The program has strong backing from local industry, government and First Nations, and it would be regrettable to see the program discontinued at a time when sustained investment in forestry education is vital to British Columbia’s future.
Two conservation groups are suing the Trump administration, challenging a U.S. Department of Agriculture rule that strips public comment requirements from most national forest projects. In a federal 
The Washington wood-products industry says timber harvests will spiral downward if lawmakers pass a bill championed by Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove. At Upthegrove’s request, legislators are considering authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to sell “ecosystem services,” possibly by delaying or canceling timber harvests. DNR officials say ecosystem services could be a new source of revenue as businesses buy carbon credits to “offset” their emissions. Carbon credits could add to the money rural counties and schools receive from timber sales, according to DNR. The timber industry, backed by the Washington State Association of Counties, argues its more likely ecosystem services would replace timber sales. Rural public services would get less money, Paul Jewell, the counties’ policy director, said. More importantly, rural counties will lose timber jobs, he said. “Sales of ecosystem services can’t replace those economic benefits,” he told the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 28.
A 34-year-old rule exempting some commercial logging projects on federal lands from environmental review is unlawful, a federal judge recently ruled. Judge Michael McShane in the U.S. District Court in Medford earlier this month struck down the exemption, and with it, reversed recent approvals for three commercial logging projects covering tens of thousands of acres in Fremont-Winema National Forest in southern Oregon. The decision is the result of a 2022 lawsuit brought against the U.S. Forest Service by regional conservation groups Oregon Wild, WildEarth Guardians and GO Alliance. Since 1992, the U.S. Forest Service has been able to bypass environmental reviews required by federal law for logging projects on federal land, if the logging is meant to “improve forest stand conditions,” habitat or prevent wildfires, without “significant effect” on the human environment.
What do northern communities need to make bioenergy projects successful? That was a key question addressed during the Arctic Bioenergy Summit and Tour in Yellowknife earlier this week. Hosted by the Arctic Energy Alliance and Wood Pellet Association of Canada, the event began with a day-long tour of buildings in Yellowknife that use biomass heating systems followed by a two-day conference at the Chateau Nova Hotel. “We’re the lead jurisdiction in Canada in terms of adoption of biomass for space heating and wood pellets,” Mark Heyck, executive director of the Arctic Energy Alliance, told Cabin Radio. “We want to continue that conversation, see where the future of that fuel source is going here in the Northwest Territories, but also learn from other jurisdictions in Canada and around the circumpolar world about what they’re working on.” …Following the conference, the Arctic Energy Alliance hosted a biomass boiler operator training course. 
NEW YORK
The energy industry initially sold wood pellets as a way to clean up coal. And governments bought into that assumption. But now policymakers are questioning that position and even reversing course. At the center of this debate is a UK-based power company called Drax, which converted Europe’s largest coal plant into a biomass facility—one fueled by wood pellets that it imported from southern states in the United States. The debate raises a multitude of questions, namely those centered on pollution and costs. That is, if the additive creates more pollution than either wind or solar energy, why bother, especially since it comes from a power source that depends on subsidies? Merry Dickinson, campaign director for the Dogwood Alliance, told me that Drax now operates entirely on woody biomass… “The amount of wood required … is beyond what is available as waste wood,” Dickinson says. “…much of the supply consists of whole trees.” [Forbes allows 4 free articles per month]