One element of a collective response is a potential framework for collaboration among the three counties designed to better position the region for:<\/p>\n
Joint marketing of the Placer, Nevada, and El Dorado County Biofuel Development Opportunity Zone (BDOZ) ratings to attract bioeconomy investment to this region. Information-sharing about wildfire resilience activities to support a coordinated regional approach that benefits all parties. Pursuit of joint funding opportunities to advance regional biomass initiatives. Promotion of biomass utilization infrastructure to stabilize markets, support industry growth, and address compliance with SB 1282 to reduce organic waste in landfills. <\/p>\n
Placer County invites Registered Professional Foresters (RPFs) to try out two free online tools \u2013 the California Working Forest Planner (WFP) and the California Forest Industry Directory (FID) \u2013 that connect qualified forestry professionals with private landowners seeking to reduce wildfire risk and improve woody biomass utilization on their properties.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The\u00a0California Working Forest Planner (WFP)\u00a0bridges the gap between early landowner interest and RPF planning support by collecting foundational information that will help RPFs start with more informed clients and clearer project expectations. WFP saves time by guiding landowners through basic property and goal assessment and identifying local RPFs for potential project support.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0California Forest Industry Directory (FID)\u00a0is a searchable online map of service providers for the forest sector including contractors, small mills, haulers, and other professionals working across California. It\u2019s like a forest-specific version of Google Maps, built to help landowners and professionals find the right people to get the job done. Together with the WFP, this tool helps professionals make new connections and better understand woody biomass markets within the local area.<\/p>\n
WFP and FID are part of the Digital Marketplace, a platform developed for the State\u2019s California Forest Residual Aggregation Market Enhancement (CalFRAME) project by the State Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and the Watershed Research and Training Center.<\/p>\n
The first step in the\u00a0Digital Marketplace\u00a0is for Registered Professional Foresters (RPFs) to register in the California Working Forest Planner (WFP). Registering allows RPFs to list their services and contact information so landowners can easily find qualified professionals when they are ready to begin work. Landowners use the WFP to enter basic property information and project goals, then search by geography and service type to identify nearby RPFs who can support their forest management needs. Being registered ensures RPFs are visible at the moment landowners are actively seeking assistance.<\/p>\n
Placer County was selected to pilot the Digital Marketplace because of its strong wildfire mitigation activity, biomass utilization interest, and leadership in forest health planning. This pilot supports defensible space and fuels reduction on private lands, strengthens the local forestry workforce and wood utilization supply chain, and improves coordination between landowners and the RPFs who help them reduce wildfire risk. Lessons from the pilot will guide future improvements and potential expansion to other regions of California.<\/p>\n
The County and State offer the Digital Marketplace solely as a connection tool. They do not rank, recommend, or assign service providers. All decisions and agreements remain directly between landowners and the professionals they choose.<\/p>\n
For more information or to register for the\u00a0Working Forest Planner,\u00a0please visit the WFP website<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n