A workshop providing information on the Hazardous Fuels Woody Biomass Utilization Grants Program will be held in Sonora on October 8th 2009 from 4-6pm. Information about this event is available here.

This national program is intended to help improve forest restoration by using and creating markets for small-diameter material and low-valued trees removed from hazardous fuel reduction and forest health activities.

These funds are targeted to help communities, entrepreneurs, and others turn residues from hazardous fuel reduction and forest health projects into marketable forest products and/or energy products.

Individual grants can be from $50,000 to a maximum of $350,000.  Half of the funds will be targeted towards “high priority national forests” which includes the Stanislaus National Forest.

Topics will include:

• Background
• Application process
• Eligibility
• Obligations
• Timeline
• Examples of successful projects (including locally)
• Assistance available to help with applications
• Questions

Online registration for this event is available here

Other workshops are being planned in other regions of California and will be announced on this website. Check back soon for a workshop near you.