Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** the circular economy for the…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** the circular economy for the urban forest project focuses on two main issues: handling excess wood waste from urban areas and improving the sustainability of soils used in green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). The project aims to address climate change and develop useful products from forest resources. Urban wood waste, often seen as useless, poses environmental and financial challenges. IT is usually burned, releasing harmful greenhouse gases, or left to decay, producing methane. To tackle this, the project proposes turning wood waste into biochar, a valuable material, at a city scale. This approach not only helps the environment by reducing landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions but also improves soil health and creates a new source of income for the city. Biochar, used as a soil amendment in horticulture, stores carbon, boosts plant growth, and lowers the need for fertilizers and water. The project aims to produce a set of guidelines and specifications for biochar production and use, conduct a techno-economic assessment, and develop a technical plan for producing biochar on a municipal scale. The project will serve as a model that can be replicated elsewhere, combining laboratory analysis, economic modeling, and open-source specifications.