Events
Celebrating National Forest Products Week in California
Each October, communities across the United States recognize the vital role forest products play in our daily lives during National Forest Products Week, happening October 19 – 25 this year. Initiated in the 1960s to elevate the significance of forest products in our daily lives starting with President Eisenhower’s proclamation initiating the week, the event has continued as a marketable week of learning and appreciation.
California participates in this week in a variety of ways in collaboration with the United States Forest Service, CAL FIRE, and other agencies and organizations. This week is leveraged to raise awareness of the importance of wood products in our daily lives and as a renewable, natural resource. With 33 million acres of forested lands that are under significant threat of wildfire, forest products represent one of the few economically viable ways to work our way out of this challenge by growing our in-state wood product manufacturing sector.
We invite you to join us this October 19 – 25 for a number of online and in-person events that elevate the tangible value of forest products, and the people, efforts, and forests that make them possible.
Calendar of Events
| Monday, Oct. 20 | Tuesday, Oct. 21 | Wednesday, Oct. 22 | Thursday, Oct. 23 | Friday, Oct. 24 | Saturday, Oct. 25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Webinar: The State of Forest Product Manufacturing. | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Site visit: Welker’s Custom Cut Lumber Site Tour. | 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM In-person conference: Smarter Mills, Bigger Opportunities | 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon Wood-Mizer Open House & Live Demos | ||
| 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Webinar: Building Regional Supply Chains in Support of CA Forests. | 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM Workshop: Celebrating Sonoma County’s Sustainable Wood Utilization Innovators | 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon Biochar Symposium |
(Events are subject to change)
| Monday, October 20 |
The State of California Forest Product Manufacturing
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Webinar.
National Forest Products Week highlights the vital role of the wood products manufacturing sector in delivering the materials that contribute to and shape our daily lives. This kickoff webinar will provide historical context, explore current opportunities and challenges in California’s forest products industry, and outline the events and tours planned for the week.
Featured Speakers
- Martin Twer, The Watershed Research & Training Center,
- Larry Swan, U.S. Forest Service, Region 5, retired,
- Nadia Tase, CAL FIRE, Fire and Resource Assessment Program.
Discussion Topics
Overview of National Forest Products Week,
Challenges and adaptations in California’s wood products industry,
Overview of National Forest Products Week events and tours.
Building Regional Supply Chains in Support of CA Forests
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM, Webinar.
In-state wood products depend on relationships with our built environment. Building regional supply chains for in-state wood sourcing can further decarbonization goals, create more wildfire-resilient forests, and strengthen regional economies. Attendees will learn about efforts underway in California via this esteemed panel as part of National Forest Products Week.
Speakers:
Clarke Stevenson, The Watershed Research & Training Center;
Joseph Swain, Mithun;
Jason Grant, Climate Smart Wood Group;
Jeremy Fisher, Forestree Collective;
Ben Stapleton, US Green Building Council California.
| Wednesday, October 22 |
Celebrating Sonoma County’s Sustainable Wood Utilization Innovators
3:00 PM – 6:30 PM, Workshop: Tour, panel, and mixer.
Location: Penngrove, CA.
Join Sonoma County millers and wood product manufacturers for an in-person workshop at Forestree Collective’s woodshop in Penngrove. Participants will have an opportunity to tour the site and see the first (contemporary) in-state produced mass timber structure, Forestree Collective’s solar kiln, milled from small-diameter logs typically chipped or burned. Post tour, settle in for an expert local panel featuring business owners focused on recovering and utilizing our invaluable local wood resources. Participants are encouraged to stay and mix and mingle with attendees during our post workshop mixer with light refreshments and beverages.
We are grateful for the support and sponsorship provided by the Watershed Research & Training Center and USGBC-CA that made this gathering possible.
Topics covered:
Local wood product manufacturing and sustainable utilization of forest resources;
Circular solutions that improve wildfire resilience and help meet building decarbonization goals;
Building regional capacity, markets, and wildfire resilience.
Agenda
3:00 PM – Arrival & check-in
3:15 PM – Welcome & introductions
3:30 PM – Site tour: Mass timber manufacturing + conversation with Forestree Collective
4:30 PM – Panel: Wood resource managers in Sonoma County
5:45 PM – Networking mixer (refreshments provided)
6:30 PM – Adjourn
Panel Information:
Moderator: Temra Costa, Regenerative Forest Solutions / Timbershed;
Lucas Martin, Sonoma Millworks Co.;
Jess Running, JL Palo Urbano;
Osha Levgin, Full Circle Mills;
Jeremy Fisher, Forestree Collective / Timbershed.
| Thursday, October 23 |
Welker’s Custom Cut Lumber Site Tour
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Site Tour.
Location: Fresno, CA 93706.
Guided tour through Welker’s Custom Cut Lumber’s facility in Fresno. Welker’s Custom Cut Lumber takes a unique approach to both sustainable forestry and craftsmanship. Harvesting trees that have been killed by wildfires and drought is a great way to repurpose wood that would otherwise go to waste while also preventing further fuel buildup that could increase wildfire risks. The focus on native species from the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains like Ponderosa pine, sugar pine, white fir, and incense cedar brings an added layer of authenticity and environmental consciousness to the business.
The custom milling service offers a lot of flexibility for buyers looking for a more rustic, distinctive aesthetic in their projects. It is a nice touch that one can have rough-cut lumber for things like framing, siding, or even decorative pieces like mantels and bar tops. The fact that the lumber has more character than what is typically available at big box lumber yards makes it appealing for both construction projects and artistic designs.
| Friday, October 24 |
Forest Products Week Conference: Smarter Mills, Bigger Opportunities
8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, In-person conference, including a panel and a mixer, with live sawmill demos on Saturday.
Location: Olivehurst, CA 95961.
For the full Agenda and to register click here ($65 to attend session; includes morning pastries, coffee, and lunch)
Far West Forest Products, the Watershed Research & Training Center, Wood-Mizer CA, and BuilderGrowth present:
Practical strategies to increase productivity, streamline operations, and grow your wood products business:
– California Wood Products Landscape: Challenges & Opportunities
– Inventory Management as Profit Strategy
– Building a Lumber Brand
– Sawmill Systems & Scaling Up to 1M BF/Week
– Grant Opportunities
Boost your Productivity
Learn immediately actionable strategies to increase sawmill efficiency, throughput, and profitability.
Plan for Growth
Get insights from experts on scaling operations, equipment upgrades, and funding opportunities.
Build strong Connections
Network with sawyers, industry professionals, and buyers who share your vision for local wood.
Scale your Sawmill, strengthen your Business
Immediate Impact: Walk away with practical strategies you can implement tomorrow to boost productivity and profitability.
Expert Insights: Learn directly from industry leaders and sawmill experts on scaling, systemization, and funding opportunities.
Collaborative Future: Be part of shaping a stronger, more resilient California wood products industry.
Who Should Attend:
What if you could get more production out of your sawmill tomorrow—using tips and tricks that cost little or nothing to implement?
Ever wonder what equipment stands between your mill and the next level of production? Get answers straight from industrial sawmill experts and industry pros.
Thinking about adding a complete, high-production sawmill system from the ground up? Learn what it takes to design, systemize, and scale for industrial-level output.
Struggling with staffing, time management, or sales? Bring your challenges to an open Q&A and get real solutions from a business expert.
Curious about funding? Hear the latest updates on USFS and CAL FIRE and other grants, and how to position your mill to take advantage of them.
Wondering how to win over architects and builders? See how the new California Grown branding positions local wood to stand out in competitive markets
If any of these sound like you, then this is the right conference to attend.
Biochar Symposium
10 AM to 12 noon, Workshop.
Location: Placerville, CA, 95667
Dr. Cindy Chen (UC ANR) Greg Stanton (El Dorado County), Norma Santiago (SOFAR), and members of the Biochar Coalition are hosting a two-hour classroom symposium on biochar, its beneficial uses, and how to make it, followed by three successive field biochar production demonstrations at various locations in El Dorado County. Field demos 10/30, 11/6, and 11/13, all at 10 AM to 12 noon.
| Saturday, October 25 |
Forest Products Week Conference: Smarter Mills, Bigger Opportunities
9 AM to 12 noon, Wood-Mizer Open House & Live Demos.
Location: Olivehurst, CA 95961.
Register here (free to attend)
Open to sawyers, builders, woodworkers, landowners, and the public.
Activities
Live Wood-Mizer sawmill demonstrations in action.
Special open house discounts and product specials.
Prize drawings.
Networking opportunities with other sawyers, artisans, and buyers.