Biochar Opportunities in the Southwest: Extension Workshop

An interactive virtual workshop about ecosystem services and entrepreneurial opportunities using forest biochar in the Four Corner States.

April 7, 2021 4pm-5:30pm MDT*
- Topic: Overview on Biochar in the United States and Southwest
- Keynote Speaker: Tom Miles, United States Biochar Initiative, Executive Director
April 8, 2021 9am - 12:30pm MDT*
- Topic: Environmental, Social and Technical Focus on Biochar
- Keynote Speaker: Dr. Deborah Page-Dumroese, USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station
- Invited Speakers: Mike Lester, State Forester and Director, Colorado State Forest Service; Darren McAvoy, Extension Assistant Professor of Forestry, Utah State University; and Dr Catherine Brewer, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, New Mexico State University.
April 8, 2021 4pm - 5:30pm MDT*
- Topic: Virtual field trip and informal “social” session to network and talk shop.
April 9, 2021 9am-12:30pm MDT*
- Topic: Economics and Entrepreneurial Focus on Biochar
- Keynote and Panel Speakers: Dr. Nathaniel Anderson, USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station; Laura Wolf, USFS Region 2, Biomass Coordinator; Forest Product Businesses: Tyson Nicoll, AZ Log & Timberworks; Kelpie Wilson, Wilson Biochar (OR); Gordon West, Troll Works (NM); John Webster, Go Biochar (UT); and Eva Stricker, Carbon Ranch (NM). Panel discussion and breakout sessions to discuss barriers and opportunities to make biochar an economically viable forest product.

* All start times are one hour earlier in Arizona: at 3:00pm or at 8:00am

WORKSHOP GOALS

Raise awareness about biochar ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration; forest management and forest health concerns; wildfire/WUI risk and smoke impacts on public health.
Raise awareness for entrepreneurs regarding economies of scale, including micro-scale opportunities; entrepreneurial clusters; markets and supply chains.
Collect and refine stakeholder input on barriers and opportunities to develop biochar as an economically viable forest product.

AUDIENCE

Biomass entrepreneurs: Active and potential
Landowners and managers from: Mining companies, ranches, non-industrial forest lands, state, county, tribal and federal lands, turf industry, landfill/waste management industry, sawmills, horticulture, agriculture
Potential markets: Wildland restoration, mining restoration, cattle industry, landfill/waste management, soil amendment for turf, saline soils, horticulture and farming