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!

Webinar Recording: How Firewood Banks are Building Resilience in the Northern Forest

On September 10th, the Northern Forest Center and Alliance for Green Heat brought together firewood bank leaders from across the Northern Forest region to discuss how their organizations have evolved, the partnerships they have built, and what other communities can learn from their experiences. Panelists included leaders from Maine Wood Banks Network, Bethel Wood Bank, and Wood4Good. You can watch a recording of that webinar here.

Help Spread the Word

 Upcoming "Firewood Month"

Don't Move Firewood will be hosting three webinars to celebrate Firewood Month:

Firewood and the Forest Pest Multiverse: the influence of time on perceptions of regulation and detection

Thursday, October 1st, 2026 at 1pm EST

Slowing the spread of Emerald Ash Borer in the Pacific Northwest

Wednesday, October 14th, 2026 at 3pm EST

The Latest and Greatest in the World of Don’t Move Firewood

Tuesday, October 20th, 2026 at 3pm EST

Firewood Banks in the News

Building Community, One Chopped Cord of Wood at a Time (CO)

“It’s a well-oiled machine with 10 stations spread across the church grounds and tasks divided among the volunteers. All the while, 20 clients drove to the church and filled their vehicles with firewood to help keep them warm this winter. In a typical year, the church gives away between 120 and 140 cords of firewood.”

“After about four hours of work, volunteers sat down to a steak dinner with all the trimmings to celebrate their hard work. Hence the event’s name: Split & Steak.”

The Oldest Heating Fuel is Still Useful, for Better or Worse (NH)

“The Northern Forest Center, based in Concord, is aware that firewood remains a real source of heat for lots of people, often people who can’t afford more modern systems. The center is an advocate of wood banks, the firewood equivalent of a food pantry. Volunteers generally run these banks, which collect firewood from donors over the course of the year and provide it to people in need when temperatures fall. The Sean Powers Wood Bank in Hopkinton is our local example."

Firewood 4 Good Program Helps Keep the Community Warm (PA)

“'A cord is 4′ x 4′ x 8′ of hardwood. That is quite a bit!' Womeldorf said. 'We calculated that 25 cords are roughly equal to the heat provided by $22,000 of electricity at rates last year.'”

"Volunteers cut to length, split, and stack wood for drying on church property prior to delivery. The moisture content of the wood is measured to be sure it is ready. Only hard firewood from many tree species is provided."

Wood Banks Prep for Long Winter Months (VT)

"To create the greatest impact, French from United Way said local wood banks are trying to network more and regularly attend collaborative meetings with state officials."

“'There’s not enough wood bank activity in the state, but there are little wood banks trying to make an impact all over the place,' she said."