The Wood Shed

Profile in Compassion: Jim Broderick

This month, we feature Jim Broderick, a logger with Triple J Logging, that is a trusted wood source for many wood banks in the southwest. Read his profile here.

FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety Progress

AGH has organized four of the six planned workshops, distributing hundreds of combination smoke alarms, metal ash buckets, and chimney sweeping tools. Led by Hannah Stinson, each workshop brings together a range of partners, including local fire departments, community agencies, and firewood banks, strengthening wood heating safety across communities through our Firewood Community Safety Initiative.

Help Spread the Word

Join the Upcoming Wood For Life Workshop in Flagstaff, Arizona!

RSVP and indicate your interest in topics using this form.

Northern Sierra Air Quality District Offers Free Firewood and Heating Device Upgrades to Improve Air Quality (CA)

“In addition to woodstove changeouts, the grants fund chimney sweep vouchers, woodshed vouchers, firewood vouchers, green waste pickup and distribution of air monitors, carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors…”

Students Ring In Spring With Service at MDI Community Woodbank (ME)

“‘We’re glad that the schools are so aware of the importance of teaching children to volunteer. As a social worker, one of the things that we know is important for children is to do service work. So this is a great opportunity for them to do that,’ explains Vice President of the wood bank Linda Lunt. ‘It’s a great way for them to learn. Not only do they see it today, they see where it’s going, but they know that in the future they can come back and do it again!’”

Read a related story about kids helping out at the MDI Community Woodbank here. 

“For student Amelia, she saw Friday’s field trip as a lesson in ‘teamwork and friendship.’”

Buffalo-Based Wood Bank Gives Away Nearly 140 Cords Of Wood So Far This Winter (WY)

“‘Basically, what we are saying is that every Tuesday is worth about a $5,300 economic impact in the two hours we give wood out,’ he said. ‘That is really a phenomenal number.’”

Spring Creek Woodchucks Opens Pickups To Help Keep Families Warm During Cold Snap (NC)

“After running the hours of work put in and the average cost of a cord of logs, these woodchucks can apparently chuck over $13,000 worth of wood.”

Waldo County Woodshed’s Long Winter Is Almost Over (ME)

“‘We had more clients than we've ever had call in,’ said President Bob MacGregor on Feb. 21. ‘We're probably only two weeks away from shutting down, because we don't have as much wood as we had last year, so we won't give out as much. But we could have.’”

Spring Into Action with CHIPs Firewood Stacking Challenge (ME)

“After a winter delivering over 50 cords of dry wood to households needing a hand heating their homes this winter, Wood Chips now need a hand stacking 20 cords.” 

A great example of how to utilize local media to boost volunteer participation!

National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) is an international event dedicated to raising awareness about invasive species, the threats they pose, and the actions that can be taken to prevent their spread.

By paying attention to where their firewood comes from and handling it carefully, firewood banks can help protect local forests and wildlife while still making sure people get the wood they need.

One of our favorite resources for pest prevention in firewood use is dontmovefirewood.org. Their resource library and firewood regulations map is helpful for understanding how to source, store, and transport firewood responsibly to protect forests from invasive species.