Event Cancelled

 

Bioenergy is the use of any organic material, such as forest thinnings, residues, agricultural waste or urban wood waste, for heating, cooling and/or electricity. Hospitals, college campuses, school districts and government buildings across the United States use bioenergy for heat and electricity. Thousands of American homes and businesses have installed stoves and other appliances fueled by firewood or wood pellets or wood chips, reducing their heating costs. Working farms and other businesses with organic waste products recycle their “leftovers” to power or heat their facilities.

On Bioenergy Day (October 18th), facilities around the U.S. open their doors to show how they use renewable sustainable bioenergy and reduce or eliminate use of fossil fuels.

This year, the Massachusetts Statewide Wood Energy Team is holding a Bioenergy Day tour of a new wood pellet heating system at Sanderson Academy in Ashfield, and a nearby woodland with an abundance of low value wood fuels.

Schedule:

10 AM

Visit the nearly completed wood pellet heating system at Sanderson Academy, a school in the Mohawk Trail Regional School District. Last year, MTRSD installed a similar system at Hawlemont School. The district received a grant from DOER’s SAPHIRE program and expects annual fuel savings. Tour the system with us and see how wood heat can be a good fit for your community, business, or home!

11 AM

Visit the Taylor Forest in Ashfield, a property of the Massachusetts Forest Trust, sister organization to MFA. The MFT is a non-profit land trust dedicated to forest conservation. In early 2016, MFT received a MassWildlife grant to conduct a forest improvement harvest. The result is 30 acres of early successional forest habitat. Harvests like this one create habitat for many species of birds and other animals, and the wood that is removed contributes to the local forest economy.  Meet at the junction of Hawley Road and Old Stage Road in Ashfield. Park along the north side of Hawley Road.

 

For additional information, contact Bryn at bgingrich@massforestalliance.net