Wood management is a significant challenge for agencies and organizations working on wildfire resilience. With so many trees to manage across vast landscapes, the increasing threat of invasive pests has only worsened the situation, leading to an exponential rise in tree mortality. To address wildfire risks while promoting carbon sequestration, CLERC launched the Middletown Carbonizer Project in collaboration with multiple partners. This initiative utilizes the Tigercat Carbonizer, an advanced piece of machinery designed to convert excess biomass into biochar efficiently.

Despite snowy conditions on March 14, 2025, CLERC staff made the journey to the USFS Placerville Nursery to pick up thousands of seedlings destined for replanting in the Mendocino National Forest. This year, 21,000 seedlings will take root, marking the beginning of an ambitious reforestation initiative that will see more than 200,000 additional trees planted in the coming years.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Brent Kallander, CLERC's dedicated Forester, who tragically died of natural causes on January 22, 2025, while working in the Mendocino National Forest.

The recent devastating wildfires in the Mendocino National Forest (MNF) have presented a formidable challenge for management efforts and highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive reforestation strategy.

As we brace for what is likely to be a busy fire season, it’s important to reflect on our achievements in building a fire-resilient landscape and redefine what “success” truly means.