The South Has a New Commodity Export (And Not Everyone Is Happy About It)

In the last five years, the South has seen explosive growth in wood pellet manufacturing—pellets which are being shipped across the Atlantic for use as a replacement fuel in Europe’s coal fired power plants. But while these exports are generating significant profits for European corporations, questions are being asked about both the environmental and economic consequences of this rapid expansion. From April 11th to the 14th, The International Biomass Conference & Expo will draw 1,500 attendees from across industry and government to Charlotte. The subject of wood pellet manufacturing and forest-to-biomass energy is likely to be a hot topic.

VICTORY! Southern Community Stops Wood Pellet Facility

In the rural town of White Oak, South Carolina, residents breathe a sigh of relief as their months of hard work pay off: this town will not be living with a wood pellet facility in their neighborhood! Stopping the wood pellet facility is a victory for our forests, our climate and our Southern communities.

Southerners are Tired of Clearcuts

Have you ever been to a clearcut? Nothing is left but stumps and silence. Have you ever been to a clearcut BEFORE it was a clearcut? When it was a lively natural forest? With habitat for woodpeckers, bears, cypress trees, salamanders and flowers?

Stronghold of Resilience: Activists in the South

Last week, Rita Frost and I left the office for a two week Outreach Tour to meet with people across the South who are passionate about protecting our Southern forests. We are here to learn what issues are important to them in their communities, and how Dogwood Alliance can support them. We are here to understand what their relationships are to their local and global forests.