USBI Biochar in the Woods Online Seminar and Field Days 

Registration Opens November 2021

What: A combination of live, online and in-field presentations and demonstrations on making and using biochar on site in the forest and WUI (Wildland Urban Interface).  

Why: Given the ongoing drought and dangerous wildfire conditions in California and throughout the west, we see an urgent need to train more people on clean techniques for converting problem forest vegetation into biochar onsite. Biochar can increase the water-holding capacity and resilience of forest soils.

Trainers: Kelpie Wilson of Wilson Biochar Associates will lead the training in biochar kiln operations. Deborah Page-Dumroese, US Forest Service Research Soil Scientist, will lead biochar forestry applications training. We will also hear from many others who are developing and using these methods in forest settings around the US.

Who should attend: Forestry contractors, arborists, workforce supervisors, forest land owners, and staff from environmental NGOs and natural resource agencies who may be supervising forestry workers, or developing biochar forestry projects and programs. 

Training Schedule

January 27: A full-day online symposium - See details below

February 1: Presentations on Butte County biochar projects at Butte Community College, Oroville, CA (about three hours northeast of San Francisco)

February 2: Biochar field day and kiln demonstration - Magalia, CA

February 3: Biochar field day and kiln demonstration – TBD

There will be ample Q & A periods for attendees to ask questions.

Cost $50 for the online webinar; all field days are free.

Partners USBI, US Forest Service, Butte Community College, Butte Fire Safe Council, and Applied Biomass Technicians