Support of state and federal efforts to increase the utilization of forest biomass removed during forest restoration and hazardous fuels reduction

The Department of Agriculture Forest Service R5-Pacific Southwest Region awarded a $180,000 cooperative agreement to The Watershed Research and Training Center on January 5, 2026, to support state and federal efforts to increase utilization of forest biomass removed during forest restoration and hazardous fuels reduction, with funding through the Wood Utilization Assistance program (CFDA 10.674).

The award funds activities to raise awareness and accelerate adoption of new or modified technologies for economically harvesting, transporting, and processing forest biomass. Performance will occur in California and extends through August 31, 2028. The Watershed Research and Training Center, a nonprofit based in Hayfork, California, specializes in natural resource management, watershed restoration, wildfire mitigation, and community protection across the western United States. The organization holds a $50 million blanket purchase agreement with the Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region for stewardship services on the Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests and has received prior funding from the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Natural Resources Conservation Service for forest health, community wildfire defense, conservation technical assistance, and habitat restoration work.

Raising awareness and accelerating adoption of new or modified technologies to economically harvest, transport, and process forest biomass.