We Asked Southerners: How Does Nature Make You Feel?

There’s something truly special about the natural world. Especially in the picturesque landscapes of North Carolina and Georgia. We wanted to discover deep connections that people have with their natural environment. So, we conducted a survey asking residents about their feelings towards nature. Spending time outdoors seems important to Southerners everywhere. From the rolling Blue […]

a woman breathing in clean air in nature

How Much Wood Goes to Bioenergy?

Across the US South, forests are being used to produce wood pellets. These pellets are burned for electricity generation in the European Union and beyond. This industry was almost nonexistent before 2010. So how much wood is now going to producing wood pellets? Let’s find out together. What’s the deal with biomass energy? Biomass energy […]

a pile of logs in front of pine trees

New Survey Results: How Southerners Really Feel About Logging (It’s Not Good)

This year on World Wildlife Day we’re taking a deeper look at how Southerners feel about logging. A recent survey found that Southerners have deep reservations about logging. Over two-thirds of those surveyed said that logging in their local area was harming both wildlife and people. Over half agreed that they’d seen logging around their […]

Does Enviva Clearcut Forests? The Surprising Truth

As the wood pellet industry grows across the US South, we’re asked again and again: Do Enviva or other wood pellet facilities clearcut forests? While the detailed answer is complex, the simple answer is: Yes. Enviva, Drax, and other wood pellet manufacturers ALL use wood from clearcut forests. Let’s break down where wood pellet production […]

a baby raccoon in a clearcut

What is the Logging Rate in the US South?

Many people and organizations are documenting the impacts of logging in the United States. The large-scale industrial logging rate is high, especially in the US Southern coastal plain. The Southern US is known as the “wood basket” of the world. This region’s forests are cleared at a rate four times that of South American rainforests. […]

an artistic rendering of someone chopping down a forest