COLORADO – Scientists from the Rocky Mountain Research Station participated in the Western Governors’ Association workshop on Working Lands, Working Communities held in Denver, Colorado, Oct. 7-8, 2021. RMRS Research Forester Nate Anderson served as a panelist on the Forest Management Infrastructure Roundtable, where he delivered a short presentation on opportunities, barriers, and infrastructure for forest biomass and bioproducts. This science was developed with his Rocky Mountain Research Station colleagues Debbie Page-Dumroese, Dan McCollum and Jeff Morisette. The panel explored infrastructure needs for effective forest management and economic development tied to forest restoration and the bioeconomy. Specifically, Anderson discussed synergies between forest restoration, transportation infrastructure, investments in bioeconomy enterprise and workforce development.

“Treatment is needed, but often very costly,” said Anderson. “We want to capitalize on synergies – not to replace traditional forest industry but augment it. We can take advantage of ongoing forest industry processes to support fuel treatment, forest restoration and salvage.”

Colorado Governor Jared Polis provided introductory remarks, and the meeting addressed a suite of topics ranging from post-fire restoration needs to community capacity to optimizing data use in land management practices. The event also included conversations about expanding forest management infrastructure and collaboration conservation between states and federal partners. Watch this discussion and others from the workshop online. Moving forward, the Western Governors’ Association is hosting webinars, work sessions, and podcasts to further examine these subjects. The Working Lands, Working Communities Initiative will culminate in a report highlighting its findings at the Western Governors’ Association 2022 Annual Meeting next summer in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

For over 100 years, Forest Service science has sparked innovations in forest products. Today, Forest Service science provides new uses and technologies for wood products and advanced bioproducts, such as biochar, cross-laminated timber, mass timber buildings and more. These products, and associated processes and innovations, strengthen economies and provide environmental benefits.