From Woods to Warmth
Discover the stories of your neighbors advocating for sustainable forest management and transforming the perception of heating with wood.
“From Woods to Warmth” delves into the interconnected narratives revealing how opting for modern wood heat, rather than fossil fuels, bolsters sustainable forest practices, generates rural employment, and offers cost savings to those who embrace it.
Enter the woods with experts who spend their days among the trees, follow wood waste as it becomes usable pellets and chips, and hear from homeowners and businesses about how modern wood heat works for them.
Through eight personal perspectives, learn why local, renewable, modern wood heat is a heat to feel good about.
Stewarding the Forest
Chuck Loring
Penobscot Nation, Director of the Department of Natural Resources
CONSERVATIONIST
The Penobscot Nation stewards the land with the next seven generations in mind. Chuck shares how forest stewardship and access to low-grade markets such as those for wood heat help protect the land for his daughter and others to come.
“Wood heat is important because it’s a renewable resource that’s not reliant on fossil fuels—it promotes wildlife, clean water, and healthy ecosystems.”
Chuck Loring
Penobscot Nation, Director of the Department of Natural Resources
CONSERVATIONIST
The Penobscot Nation stewards the land with the next seven generations in mind. Chuck shares how forest stewardship and access to low-grade markets such as those for wood heat help protect the land for his daughter and others to come.
“Wood heat is important because it’s a renewable resource that’s not reliant on fossil fuels—it promotes wildlife, clean water, and healthy ecosystems.”
Walter Norman
Vermont Resident
LANDOWNER
Hear from Walter on how becoming a forest landowner helped him understand how logging and forest management benefits the forest, outdoor recreation, and his local community.
“I’ve seen instances where we could improve the wood lot, harvest some trees, and not negatively impact biking at all.”
Walter Norman
Vermont Resident
LANDOWNER
Hear from Walter on how becoming a forest landowner helped him understand how logging and forest management benefits the forest, outdoor recreation, and his local community.
“I’ve seen instances where we could improve the wood lot, harvest some trees, and not negatively impact biking at all.”
Matt Langlais
Caledonia/Essex County Vermont
FORESTER
Matt delves into the science behind forest management and timber harvests and how markets for modern wood heating fuels support good silviculture.
“Forest management is a continuum, and it starts with a harvest that may not look pretty. But doing what’s right for the forest can lead to long-term benefits.”
Matt Langlais
Caledonia/Essex County Vermont
FORESTER
Matt delves into the science behind forest management and timber harvests and how markets for modern wood heating fuels support good silviculture.
“Forest management is a continuum, and it starts with a harvest that may not look pretty. But doing what’s right for the forest can lead to long-term benefits.”
David Mears
Executive Director of Audubon Vermont and Vice President of the National Audubon Society
ENVIRONMENTALIST
As an environmental lawyer, David understands the complexities of managing the forest for today’s habitats and tomorrow’s needs. Walk with him as he describes the relationship between forests, birds, and wood heat.
“Managing forests, managing our habitat for birds, is not just good for birds, it’s good for people.”
David Mears
Executive Director of Audubon Vermont and Vice President of the National Audubon Society
ENVIRONMENTALIST
As an environmental lawyer, David understands the complexities of managing the forest for today’s habitats and tomorrow’s needs. Walk with him as he describes the relationship between forests, birds, and wood heat.
“Managing forests, managing our habitat for birds, is not just good for birds, it’s good for people.”
Developing the Renewable Resource
Everett Thurston
Thurston Forestry
LOGGER
Everett explains how utilizing the entire tree—including wood waste for heating pellets and chips—keeps the forest here and healthy for generations.
“What I want to leave is quality trees that are starting the next generation of forests.”
Everett Thurston
Thurston Forestry
LOGGER
Everett explains how utilizing the entire tree—including wood waste for heating pellets and chips—keeps the forest here and healthy for generations.
“What I want to leave is quality trees that are starting the next generation of forests.”
Tony Wood
Wood & Sons Pellet Mill
PELLET MANUFACTURER
It’s all in the name. Tony takes us behind the scenes of his family’s wood pellet mill to see how wood waste and sawmill byproducts become convenient wood pellets used to heat homes and businesses.
“We purchase more than half of our raw material from sawmills. We’re making that total closed loop where they have no waste, they have added value to every part of that log.”
Tony Wood
Wood & Sons Pellet Mill
PELLET MANUFACTURER
It’s all in the name. Tony takes us behind the scenes of his family’s wood pellet mill to see how wood waste and sawmill byproducts become convenient wood pellets used to heat homes and businesses.
“We purchase more than half of our raw material from sawmills. We’re making that total closed loop where they have no waste, they have added value to every part of that log.”
Heating Sustainably
Gary Collins
Montshire Museum
FACILITIES DIRECTOR
As a rural science center, the Montshire Museum counts on modern wood heat for its cost savings and as an educational tool for its visitors. Gary expands on what the savings have looked like over the past six heating seasons.
“By using local pellets, we are really contributing to keeping our spending in the local economy.”
Gary Collins
Montshire Museum
FACILITIES DIRECTOR
As a rural science center, the Montshire Museum counts on modern wood heat for its cost savings and as an educational tool for its visitors. Gary expands on what the savings have looked like over the past six heating seasons.
“By using local pellets, we are really contributing to keeping our spending in the local economy.”
Anni Mackay
Green Mountain Bikes, Stable Inn, BigTown Gallery
SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
Anni and her husband own three small businesses within a block, including a renovated inn with 14 fully climate-controlled rooms powered by renewable energy—wood pellet heat harvested within 100 miles, solar, and heat pumps. Learn why Anni considers wood pellets a smart business decision.
“We felt that using a pellet system would be more affordable and more efficient for a 14-room inn.”
Anni Mackay
Green Mountain Bikes, Stable Inn, BigTown Gallery
SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
Anni and her husband own three small businesses within a block, including a renovated inn with 14 fully climate-controlled rooms powered by renewable energy—wood pellet heat harvested within 100 miles, solar, and heat pumps. Learn why Anni considers wood pellets a smart business decision.
“We felt that using a pellet system would be more affordable and more efficient for a 14-room inn.”
Susan Howard
Vermont Resident
HOMEOWNER
As a horticulturist, Susan feels a responsibility to make decisions that are good for the planet. She describes why modern wood heat to warm her home and greenhouse fits her modern renewable home.
“The house doesn’t dry out like it used to. I don’t get any smoke residue or smell. It’s consistent. It’s a feel good heat.”
Susan Howard
Vermont Resident
HOMEOWNER
As a horticulturist, Susan feels a responsibility to make decisions that are good for the planet. She describes why modern wood heat to warm her home and greenhouse fits her modern renewable home.
“The house doesn’t dry out like it used to. I don’t get any smoke residue or smell. It’s consistent. It’s a feel good heat.”
Want to feel good about your heat?
Connect with an expert near you, support local forests, and free yourself from fossil fuels!