West Fraser releases sustainability report, posts positive Q2 results as transportation challenges ease. Also reporting positive financials are: Acadian Timber; International Paper; and CP Rail. In other Company news: Northern Pulp’s legal pause is extended; Boise Cascade completes plywood acquisition; GP Cellulose invests in Alabama mill; and the US blocks illegal timber imports from Peru.
In Forest Product news: the US Endowment receives funding to track wood products and account for carbon stored; an NBC feature on mass timber buildings; and hempcrete construction makes a comeback. Meanwhile: David Suzuki says we need to look up; the World Economic Forum says forests cool the world; and the BC Forest Practices Board releases its annual report.
Finally, the secret superpowers of fungus and how skyscrapers can help cool our cities.
Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor
VANCOUVER — West Fraser posted a net profit of US$762 million in its latest quarter as the acute transportation challenges facing the company in recent quarters showed signs of improvement. …Second quarter sales were US$2.90 billion, down from US$3.78 billion during the same period last year. West Fraser’s chief executive Ray Ferris said its ability to ship products in a timely manner to meet the demands of customers is still “not where it needs to be and therefore transportation and logistics remain key focus areas for the company.” “Inflationary cost pressures persist across our various supply chains, although an environment of strong demand and above-average product pricing has helped to absorb most of these cost increases,” he added. 
Greenville, SC – The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities has been awarded a $250,000 grant through the 2022 USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations Grant Program. The award, matched by $250,000 from the Endowment, will fund a collaboration between the Endowment and Michigan State University Forest Carbon and Climate Program (MSU FCCP) to develop and deploy ForesTrust, a cost-effective blockchain network to accurately and efficiently track wood and wood fiber from forest to consumer. Simultaneously, MSU FCCP will investigate methodologies for accurately tracking stored carbon through the value chain, which will be incorporated into ForesTrust technology. “This project will employ blockchain technology to the benefit of the entire wood products industry,” said Teal Edelen, Program Officer at the Endowment. “The Endowment’s collaboration with Michigan State University will allow the wood products industry to accurately and securely track products through the supply chain, account for carbon stored, and demonstrate the chain of custody of wood and forest products through verifiable data.”
VICTORIA – The Forest Practices Board has released its 2021-22 annual report, which provides a summary of the board’s work in each of its program areas. The annual report also highlights strategic accomplishments, including work on Indigenous engagement and reconciliation, and the introduction of changes to the Forest and Range Practices Act, a number of which reflect past board recommendations. The annual report details the past year’s achievements, including: 12 reports published; three audits; seven published complaint investigations; two special reports; and seven new recommendations were made in two reports. An update on the board’s special projects is also featured in the annual report, highlighting special reports on water, and recreation. Included in each summary are the opportunities for improvement recommended by the board, based on that project. In addition, the upcoming special report Landscape Fire Management, is also featured as the board look toward future special projects.
The European Union consumed a record 23.1 million metric tons of wood pellets in 2021, according to a new 
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