Exciting Legislation to Support Firewood Banks in Maine

On April 17th, LD 1525, An Act to Promote Firewood Banks in Maine, was discussed in the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The legislation would direct the Maine Forest Service to promote wood banks on their website and develop and dispense informational resources. Sections of the legislation concerning liability and state donations to wood banks is under discussion for inclusion. Many wood banks, along with AGH, testified in support of the bill. Watch the recording of the hearing here, with LD 1525 beginning at the 1:56:00 PM mark.

Firewood Bank Assistance Program Update

Due to massive government funding cuts, AGH still does not know if there could be more grant funding available in 2025 or 2026.

Congress stipulated that $8,000,000 be made available to the USDA to provide financial assistance and feedstock to firewood banks. Only around 1/2 of that has been distributed so far, according to usaspending.gov.

Once we do know, we will publish the application opening date on firewoodbanks.org and in this newsletter.

Firewood Bank Resources Sheet

Chainsaw Training Resources Sheet

The newest addition to AGH's firewood bank resources sheets, Chainsaw Training Resources: Safe Chainsaw Handling is A Life Skill, is located on our Resources page!

The Wood Shed

Story From A Firewood Bank Lead: "Just In Time"

Ed Hultgren from the SURV Firewood Bank (Ozark, MO) shared a story with us about a time when he delivered firewood to a family when they had run out of wood just the night before.

Firewood Banks in the News

Yee Ha’ólníi Doo Receives National Forest Foundation Grant for Mutual Aid Initiative Addressing Heating Needs of Navajo Elders

“This initiative forms a key cornerstone of Yee Ha’ólníi Doo’s broader Elderly Heating Program, which establishes strategically located wood distribution sites operating on a community-driven mutual aid model to address critical heating needs across the Navajo Nation.”

Catholics Chop Wood for Families in Need (MI)

We missed this February news piece in our March newsletter!

“‘I suspect that there’s going to be more demand for this firewood ministry than we’re able to meet at first,’ Morrison said. ‘I think more people are going to be interested in receiving wood from our bank than we’re able to provide. So I would love to see it grow.’”

"...the ministry is about helping community members both physically and spiritually. "

Firewood Bank Research

Wood For Life: A Needs Assessment for Northern Arizona

"The information generated through this needs assessment led to several key recommendations, including increasing awareness of WFL; securing additional funding for firewood transportation; supporting alternative energy sources and energy demand reduction; funding and facilitating increased chapter, village, and nonprofit capacity; enhancing equipment access for local partners; establishing agreements between tribal entities and the Forest Service to support WFL operations; and hosting workshops to facilitate connections necessary to achieve these goals." A link to a summary report can be found here.

Interested in wood stove history?

This webinar is for you!

Do you have firewood bank stories to tell or resources to share? Email us!