A collaboration between the Bureau of Land Management and the original JSDI Working Group under the direction of George McKinley, this project assesses the economic feasibility of commercially utilizing small diameter timber derived from forest restoration activities.
The Boaz Project seeks to promote linkages between the health of the forest and the vitality and economic well-being of the communities closest to it.
The project has four main goals:
- To reduce fire hazard, enhance wildlife habitat and strengthen ecosystem health.
How?
JSDI will contract to harvest the timber sale, utilize the best available technology for harvesting and processing small diameter material. JSDI will provide on-site workshops on restoration forestry and fire hazard reduction. - To provide training opportunities for the local workforce in processing small diameter timber.
How?
JSDI will conduct on-site and facilities-specific workshops on small diameter harvesting techniques, post and pole production, chipping for biomass utilization, and processing small diameter material. - To increase community support for ecosystem restoration on public lands that provides economic return to workers and quality products to emerging markets.
How?
JSDI will conduct on-site dialogues and site visits with stakeholders and community members. JSDI will also monitor the ecological success and economic feasibility of the project. - To document a model that tests the viability of achieving similar goals on neighboring BLM and Forest Service land.
How?
JSDI will compile a report monitoring the community support, economic feasibility, and ecological benefit of the project, from forest to planning to mill to marketplace.
Read the Mail Tribune article featuring the Boaz project and JSDI board member George McKinley:
One Size Fits All
Small-diameter trees become a commodity in the 21st century, enivronmentalists and the timber industry agree.
By Paul Fattig.
(full article at the Mail Tribune)