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In This Issue
Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC) Project Highlights
WERC's Woody Biomass Technical Assistance Team
Workshops
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Other Items of Interest
Archived Webinars


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Wood Education and Resource Center
 
Wood Education and
Resource Center Update
HomeMay 31,2013
Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC) Project Highlights

 

Value-added Hardwood Product Costing Analysis and System

Department of Sustainable Biomaterials, VA Tech (WERC Award Number 2009-DG-076) 

 

The goal of this project was to develop a product costing system for manufacturers of hardwood components. Project partners were Virginia Tech, the Wood Components Manufacturers Association, the Northeastern Research Station, and WERC. The final report includes details of the costing system and can be downloaded hereView the project video here.

 

For additional information, contact Urs Buehlmann at 540-231-9759 or via e-mail.

hardwood product costing graphic
 

Relationship of Mineral Stain in Red Oak to Growth Site Variables

Department of Sustainable Biomaterials, VA Tech (WERC Award Number 2009-DG-075) 

 

This project's goal was to fill an important gap in the current knowledge of the relationship between site variables and mineral stain in red oak wood across the Appalachian mountains of Virginia and West Virginia. This knowledge will improve the ability of landowners, foresters, and industry personnel to assess the value of and make harvesting decisions about red oak. Attributes such as elevation, slope, and solar radiation, as well as several others, contribute the most to the presence or absence of mineral stain. View the final report 

or the project Webcast archive.

 

For additional information, contact Brian Bond at 540-231-8752.

 

mineral stain in red oak graphic

 

WERC's Woody Biomass Technical Assistance Team

WERC's Woody Biomass Technical Assistance Team developed a brief titled The Use of Wood and LEED� Certification.  The brief provides an overview regarding the opportunities for using wood as a sustainable building material or as a renewable energy source to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building energy requirements.  Click here to view the document and supporting appendix.

 

For additional information, contact Lew McCreery at 304-285-1538.

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Workshops

Visit the WERC training Web page or WERC Webcast archive

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Other Items of Interest 

WERC Rough Mill and Wood Shop Available for Lease

WERC will accept applications for the rough mill and wood shop on a continuous basis until a suitable proposal is submitted and accepted. For additional information, contact Steve Milauskas at 304-487-1510.

 

Update on the Housing Market

From Urs Buehlmann, Virginia Tech Department of Wood Science. All housing reports are available here.

 

Update on Wood Markets

From Don Deckard, Minnesota DNR Division of Forestry

 

Transitioning from the Bucket to the Barrel: Educational Biofuels Webinar Series

The advanced biofuels industry will eventually move from research and development to full-scale commercial production of biofuels and byproducts using a variety of advanced biomass feedstocks approved by the EPA. For more information about this educational biofuels Webinar series, go here.

 

Online Systems Keep U.S. Ag Exporters Abreast of Regulations in Foreign Markets

 

In the Northeast, Forests with Entirely Native Flora are Not the Norm

This new study is the first to reveal the abundance of non-native plants across 24 States. Click here for details. 

 

Environmental Performance of Wood-Based Biofuels

The environmental performance of using wood for energy and value-added products was the focus of a recent special edition of the Forest Products Journal. Access the contents of this issue at the Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial Materials Web site

 

European Union Timber Regulation

New European timber regulations went into effect March 3, 2013. For additional details, go here and here.  

 

Wind Wood Utilization

Wind Wood Utilization is the hub for information specifically related to the preparation for, response to, and recovery from major wind events and the utilization of downed and damaged timber and woody debris that can be generated.

 

New Wood Products Extension Web Site

This Web site will create an online wood products community of practice (CoP) that will connect stakeholders with experts in wood products through different mechanisms. These include e-learning modules, an "Ask the Expert" section, a "Frequently Asked Questions" section, and technical articles. Approved wood products CoP topics include wood drying and processing, manufacturing process improvement, business management, marketing of wood products, product development, and environmental impact. For details, go here

 

Urban Forest Products Alliance LinkedIn 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The North American Forest Sector Outlook Study: 2006 - 2030

Published by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the Food and Agricultural Organization. View the report here

 

Forests of the Northern United States

This publication provides a broad overview of forests in the 20-state region that is bounded by Maine, Maryland, Missouri, and Minnesota. It was authored by nine people across the region and is accompanied by a Web site that describes current resource conditions, unique forest characteristics, and the challenges faced by this tier of States. The report's findings also highlight the complexities facing those making today's forest management, policy, and investment decisions that, in turn, will prepare and shape the region for a sustainable future.

 

Hardwood Checkoff Program

The Hardwood Checkoff is an initiative led by a group of U.S. hardwood industry leaders who have developed a Commodity Checkoff program for the hardwood industry. Checkoff programs are industry-funded research and promotions programs tailored to a specific commodity. For additional details, click here.

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Archived Webinars 

 

Profitable Firewood Processing Workshop and Webcast
September 27, 2012 (Award number 2011-DG-057) - This 
workshop provided an educational and networking event for the firewood processing industry pertaining to the latest knowledge on the processing, kiln drying, and marketing of firewood.

 

2012 Wood Industry Week @ WERC
A series of workshops 
is available for viewing online. Topics include ROMI 4.0, enhancing economic competitiveness, developing new marketing strategies, mass customization, lean manufacturing, making effective use of technological advances, product costing, and small- and medium-sized enterprises in the U.S. wood products industry. 

Biomass Thermal Energy Council's Educational Webinar Series

A series of 14 educational Webinars 
about emissions, combined heat and power, thermal markets, and advanced technologies, among others, were completed with the assistance of a WERC-sponsored grant. 

 

Quarterly Webcast and Conference Call on Urban Wood Utilization and Markets

(October 2, 2012) PDFs of key presentations are available for viewing.

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Wood Education and Resource Center Staff

Steve Milauskas, Director, (304) 487-1510, [email protected]

Ed Cesa, Deputy Director, (304) 285-1530, [email protected]

Lew McCreery, Biomass Coordinator, (304) 285-1538, [email protected]

Debbie Hawkins, Office Administrator, (304) 487-1510, [email protected]

Nathan Delimont, Maintenance, (304) 487-1510, [email protected]