USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations Grant Project
The Texas Urban Sawmill was proudly awarded a USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations Grant. Only two businesses in Texas have ever received this award. The novel grant application is entitled: “Full Circle Woodland Forestry a Circular Economic Project”. This serves as a climate-smart sustainability project within the State of Texas.
What is the USDA FS “WIG” Grant Program?
The USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations Grant Program is a funding initiative established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service to support projects that focus on increasing the use of wood as a sustainable building material. The program provides financial assistance to eligible entities, such as non-profits, universities, and state and local governments, to promote the use of wood products and reduce the use of non-renewable materials in construction.
The program aims to stimulate the economy in rural areas by creating jobs in the forestry and manufacturing industries, while also supporting sustainable forest management practices. The Wood Innovations Grant Program provides funding for a variety of projects, including the development of new technologies, the design of innovative wood products, and the construction of new wood-based buildings or retrofitting existing structures to incorporate more wood.
what Is the Texas Urban Sawmill & our Partners doing to innovate in Texas?
This is a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) property that has not seen any forestry activity for over 100 years. Ash Juniper, also commonly called Texas Mountain Cedar or aromatic cedar, is almost exclusively chipped or burned in Texas. Utilizing older growth material produces some very high quality cedar lumber with very tight grains that can be used fresh off the sawmill. The aromatic “cedar” is extremely stable and has excellent properties for exterior applications. It also has a rich red color and can have some surprisingly beautiful figuring.
The grant project is entitled “Full Circle Woodland Forestry a Circular Economic Project”.
Texas is the second most disaster-prone state in the US after California, as per FEMA disaster declarations. The rapidly growing population, unsustainable forest management, and residential expansion into the wildland urban interface, has led to an increase in wildfire risk in Central Texas, making it one of the most susceptible areas in the state. Ashe Juniper, also known as mountain cedar, is a primary source of consumable fuels in the wildland urban interface. Traditionally, this material is removed and then is either chipped or burnt but this practice does NOT maintain carbon sequestration. The Texas Urban Sawmill is investigating a novel economic approach that not only utilizes excess wood material for economic gain but also reduces the threat of wildfires. This innovative model generates revenue that can be used to fund replanting and expand the tree canopy. The material rescued from these project sites will be milled and then offered as retail lumber at the Austin Habitat ReStores. 100% of profits will directly support the Austin Habitat for Humanity (HFH) for affordable housing projects and the Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) for tree canopy expansion.
Sarah stands ready to extract more ashe juniper from the site with a hyraulic grappler. Due to the density of the woodlands, many times trees are pulled into an open area using tow straps. Sarah’s remarkable contributions make her an inspiring role model for the next generation of female leaders in forestry utilization.
Climate-smart and carbon-smart ESG Stretch goals:
Generate over $150,000 in lumber and equivalent carbon savings across the life of the project. Funds will be allocated to:
Support the Habitat for Humanity for affordable housing development within Austin metroplex
Support the Forest Service for growth of our shrinking tree canopy across Texas
Capture or maintain carbon sequestration > 100,000 lbs CO2e. This is equivalent to:
50,809 lbs of coal burned
195 barrels of oil consumed
5,517,618 number of smartphones charged
15.7 tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled
Community Awareness and Outreach
Support community education through social media outreach and shared partner campaigns.
Offer Public Open House events at the Texas Urban Sawmill in Dripping Springs, TX.
1st Event: May 20, 2023, from 11 am - 2 pm.
2nd Event: Tentatively scheduled for May 2024.
Offer Public Open House events at the Austin Habitat for Humanity Restores.
1st Event: Tentatively scheduled for Oct 2023.
2nd Event: Tentatively scheduled for March 2024.
Develop and produce an inspiring film series to spread national awareness
This picture illustrates the power of people and strong foundational relationships. Team members of the Texas Urban Sawmill and the Austin Habitat for Humanity loading the 1st load of moutain cedar lumber. Sales profits from the sale of this lumber will go directly to support the HFH and TAMFS. The monetized value of the rescued timber funds planting and canopy expansion which is a real-life example of the full circle foresty model. The removed material mitigates wildland fire risk.
Strength in our Partnerships
We have aligned with strategic partners committed to collaboration, community, and environmental sustainability. Each of our supporting partners is volunteering in-kind contributions to the project and are focused on doing what’s right for Texas and our residents. These prominent public and private institutions in Texas are actively contributing to environmental and social progress by dedicating themselves to reducing carbon emissions, minimizing waste, and optimizing the utilization of our water resources.
NOTE: We are actively seeking support from commercial developers and public & private land owners who want to donate material and/or help fund utilization forestry efforts that DIRECTLY support this sustainability grant project. Your contribution will have a meaningful impact and help us reach our desired outcomes. 100% of the profits go to the Habitat for Humanity (HFH) and Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS). Supporters will received a HFH charitable contribution that can be used as a tax deduction. The major requirement is that the property is located within the Texas Hill Country or what is referred to as the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). Basically, this is any wildland or wooded area across Central Texas that does not reside within an urban metroplex. All residential and commercial partners will receive sponsorship recognition in our 5 to 6-part film series, published articles and key note presentations as a Special Thanks. Additionally, key contributors will be given the opportunity to be interviewees and featured within the film series.
