Update: Firewood Bank Assistance Program

We apologize, but there is no update from USFS on whether funding will or will not be available for the 2026-2067 grant cycle. No timeline has been provided for this decision, which may still be months away. Recipients of this newsletter will be among the first to know if and when a new grant cycle is announced!

The Northern Forest is one the mot densely forested regions in the U.S. and stretches across 30 million acres in northern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. Firewood banks have become an important part of many Northern Forest communities, bringing together volunteers, local organizations, and forest resources to help neighbors heat their homes.

The Northern Forest Center and Alliance for Green Heat are bringing together firewood bank leaders from across the region to discuss how their organizations have evolved, the partnerships they have built, and what other communities can learn from their experiences. Panelists include leaders from Maine Wood Banks Network, Bethel Wood Bank, and Wood4Good. You can register here for this free webinar.

Help Spread the Word

 August is "Tree Check Month"

Firewood plays an important role in keeping families warm, but moving firewood long distances can also move invasive insects and diseases to new areas. "Tree Check Month" is a great reminder for firewood bank leaders, volunteers, and firewood recipients to spend a few minutes checking the trees around their homes and wood yards for signs of invasive pests.

One invasive insect of particular concern is the Asian longhorned beetle, which is most active during the summer months. Signs of infestation can include large, round exit holes in tree trunks and branches, or sawdust-like material at the base of trees.

Take 10 minutes this month to inspect nearby trees and familiarize yourself with common signs of invasive insect damage. If you notice suspicious insects or tree damage, report it to your local Cooperative Extension office or USDA. Early detection is one of the most effective ways to protect forests, communities, and future firewood supplies.

Ask A Ranger: Turning Forest Restoration Into Community Support: How Wood For Life Serves Northern Arizona

“‘This is a program that helps cities reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires,’ Etsitty said. “Keeping our communities safe, protecting firefighters, and caring for our land is so much bigger than just one person.’”

“For Etsitty, the partnership represents more than firewood distribution. He sees Wood For Life as an example of how communities can work together across organizational and geographic boundaries to address shared challenges.”

Firewood Banks in the News

Firewood Volunteer Steve Allen Delivers Warmth to Richmonders Who Need It (VA)

“Allen, 63, is a longtime member in the all-volunteer Project W.A.R.M, which just marked its 50th year of delivering free firewood to the elderly, people with medical issues and others who might struggle to gather wood on their own.”

“When asked what’s kept him at for so long, his answer was quick. ‘The people,’ he said. ‘Everybody out here is like family. And the people we deliver to.’”

Why Firefighters In Colorado Tried To Save Firewood During A Summer Wildfire

“While the Ferris fire raged, crews protected stacks of logs, known as decks, earmarked for Wood for Life, a partnership among the Forest Service, the National Forest Foundation, tribes, nongovernmental organizations and conservation corps that promotes tribal engagement within national forests.”

 Need Firewood? Wood4Good Donates Free Wood To All Households With Need (VT)

“‘One of the things we believe is that no Vermonter should go cold in the winter time,’ Eric said. ‘We know Vermonters are struggling, especially older folks.’”