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“There is a constant need for fuel reduction, over what feels like a never ending area” Read more about Hannah’s visit to Tuolumne, California here. | | |
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The University of Maine DigitalCommon's "National Wood Bank Project" website page has been updated to include research and maps on potential wood bank demand in the state of Maine. This is a great resource for those of you wondering how to evaluate wood bank demand in your own state! | |
Read more about the firewood banks funded this cycle through the Firewood Bank Assistance Program here. | |
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January 14, 2025 | 1:00-2:30 PM (ET)
Have you ever had the smell of wood smoke in your home? Do you know of firewood recipients that have had issues with wood smoke in their homes? This webinar will look at the most common reasons that smoke comes from wood and pellet stoves, how to diagnose it, and the best ways to fix it. Register for the webinar here.
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EPA Burn Wise Education Materials | |
Garmin MLK Day of Service at Cumberland Woodbank (ME) | |
Garmin employees volunteered at the Cumberland Woodbank in Cumberland, ME for their Corporate Work Day earlier this month. Is there a local business (or big corporate office) near your firewood bank that likes to give back to their community? Encourage them to volunteer at your wood bank! | |
Firewood Banks in the News | |
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Forest Service Funds Help Indigenous Families in the Mountain West Heat Their Homes
“The National Forest Foundation’s Wood for Life project is similar to a food bank. But instead of food, it delivers firewood to tribal families – at no cost. The nonprofit is receiving $225,000 to remove logs from forests in Idaho, Colorado and Wyoming. That will produce firewood for half a dozen tribes, including Shoshone Bannock, Shoshone Paiute, Eastern Shoshone, Northern Arapaho, Ute Mountain Ute, and Navajo Nation.”
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Downeast Wood Bank (ME) ready to help hundreds stay warm during the winter
“No matter the weather conditions, they know their hard work will always pay off as they look to help the wellbeing of their neighbors. ‘When those people come in and give you a hug and say we sure do appreciate it, that’s all we need to keep going for the next family,’ said Matthews.”
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“Ten years ago, a letter to the editor of the Bangor Daily News highlighted a need Bob MacGregor hadn’t considered before: Maine was short on wood banks, which dispense firewood like food banks give out canned goods. And he was in a position to act in response.” | | |
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Firewood Banks Turn Up the Heat
"Caleb Stotts, executive director of Chama Peak Land Alliance (CPLA), says that removing fuel from a forest where it may pose a wildfire risk, and moving it into homes that need heat, is a win-win situation. By partnering with other organizations, CPLA can offer a supplemental firewood program for the elderly and disabled here in the Rio Chama valley."
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Firewood distribution programs have a lot to gain by being active on social media. Whether that's through advertising when they have wood available, garnering donations or volunteer support, expressing gratitude for their community's help, connecting with mutual aid work beyond heating needs, or simply showing their community (and beyond!) how important their work is, firewood banks have the opportunity to harness the good in social media posting. Here are some recent examples: | |
R2 & Company (Cobb, CA) posted a video of their start-up firewood bank operation, Cobb Mountain Firewood Bank “The making and sharing of the firewood," on their Facebook page. Watch it here! As a start-up firewood bank, this was a great way to show their community a non-profit project they are working on. | |
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Rural Organizing and Resilience (Marshall, NC) posted a Facebook status as an update on the work they've been able to accomplish in the 2-months since flooding caused by Hurricane Helene devastated their western North Carolina community. This worked not just as a "thank you," but also a display of what can be done when people work together, AND a call for more support. They frequently update their social media statuses to let people know where help is needed the most, where firewood can be picked up, and ways they are working to build their community outside of their firewood project. | |
If you haven't already, consider creating social media profiles for your firewood bank. Visibility of your work, as well as access to information for those looking to know more about you, is important! | | |
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Do you have firewood bank stories to tell or resources to share? Email us!
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