Building the relationships that build the market

Wildfire is one of California's greatest challenges. It may also be one of its greatest economic opportunities.

Every year, millions of tons of low-value forest material are generated through restoration and wildfire risk reduction. The challenge is no longer simply treating our forests, it's creating the markets, investments, partnerships, and innovation needed to turn that material into valuable products, thriving businesses, healthier forests, and resilient rural communities.

The Forest Bioeconomy Symposium: From Fire Risk to Circular Stewardship is designed to do exactly that.

Unlike traditional conferences that focus on a single profession or industry, this two-day working symposium intentionally convenes the people needed to build an entire regional forest bioeconomy.

Forest landowners and managers. Tribal Nations. Manufacturers. Investors. Entrepreneurs. Researchers. Universities. Architects and engineers. Economic development organizations. Conservation partners. State and federal policymakers.

Each plays a critical role. None can succeed alone.

The Symposium creates the space where these leaders come together to understand the complete forest value chain, establish new relationships, identify investment opportunities, accelerate commercialization, strengthen workforce partnerships, and shape the policies and market infrastructure needed to grow a thriving circular forest economy in California's Redwood Region.

More than presentations

This is a working gathering designed to move ideas into action.

Participants will experience the region firsthand through one of three field visits showcasing industrial timberland management, forest product innovation, manufacturing, Tribal enterprises, workforce development, and emerging commercialization opportunities.

The plenary program brings together internationally recognized leaders in forest innovation, green chemistry, wildfire resilience, and regional economic development to share proven models, emerging technologies, and strategies for transforming low-value forest resources into high-value products and industries.

Interactive working sessions then shift the focus from learning to collaboration—bringing participants together to develop partnerships, identify investment opportunities, strengthen research and workforce connections, support Tribal economic development, and inform the policy recommendations needed to accelerate California's forest bioeconomy.

Why attend?

Whether you're stewarding forestland, developing innovative products, investing in emerging industries, conducting research, shaping public policy, strengthening rural economies, or preparing the next generation workforce, you'll gain opportunities to connect with the people, projects, and partnerships shaping the future of California's forest economy.

You'll leave with new relationships, practical insights, and a clearer understanding of where you fit within a growing ecosystem that is transforming wildfire risk into economic opportunity through innovation, stewardship, and collaboration.

Because building a circular forest economy isn't the work of any one organization or sector.

It requires an ecosystem.

The Forest Bioeconomy Symposium is where that ecosystem comes together.

Location

Field Visit locations will vary. You should have selected which singular Field Visit you would like to attend when you registered. Specific instructions will be emailed to you before the event date. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us at Connect@forestwrx.org

The Symposium will take place at the Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria’s Tish-Non Community Center over looking the Eel River Valley. The Tish-Non Community Center is located at 266 Keisner, Loleta, CA 95551 across from the Recreation Center. If you are using Google Maps, the location is referred to as the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Tribal Headquarters which is housed within the Tish-Non Community Center.

There is plenty of on-site parking.

Thank you to our Sponsors