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

Understanding Forest Symbiotes: How Forests Work Together

In ecology, a symbiote is an organism that lives in close association with another organism. Symbiosis literally means “living together.” Let’s explore the fascinating world of forest interactions. We’ll discuss how different types of forest organisms work together to create a balanced ecosystem. From host plants and parasites to tag-team situations, we’ll learn together about […]

Why We Need to Keep Natural Forests

As cities and human activities continue to expand, natural forests are under threat. In 2016 one of The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals was to fully stop deforestation by 2020. In that same year we lost 25.8 million hectares. So we’ve, unfortunately, fallen short of meeting that goal. Global Forest Watch reported that in 2020, […]

the great smoky mountains

Biodiversity In Your Backyard: Reptiles

Guest post by Emma Dawson The Southeastern United States is home to a variety of reptile species, some of which you’ve probably seen in real life! In fact, in 2016 the area was named the world’s 36th biodiversity hotspot. Reptiles are an important part of this biodiversity. Lizards, turtles, snakes, and crocodiles are scaly animals […]

What Does Proforestation Look Like?

Proforestation is a natural climate solution that protects middle- and older-aged forests and allows them to grow. Here are some easy actions to take.

A person stands looking upwards at a forest undergoing proforestation