WISE

Woodfiber Initiative in Science and Engineering

       Why:     To maintain the U.S. position as a world leader in sustainable utilization of forest-based
    materials, there is an urgent need to:

·         Reduce fuel loading by finding uses for forest-based materials that must be removed to mitigate catastrophic wildfire loss and costs

·         Economically utilize material that must be removed to restore forests to health

·         Provide consumers with high performance, environmentally-sound products

      What:    A federal-university partnership among the Nation’s leading teaching and research 
   institutions delivering programs in forest materials utilization

      When:   Beginning in Fiscal Year 2005

       How:     Through collaboration among the partners to conduct research and demonstration programs
    to achieve valuable products based on renewable and recyclable materials from presently
    under-utilized forest residuals

     Who:     USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory; Auburn University; Georgia Institute of 
 Technology; North Carolina State University; State University of New York-Syracuse;
 University of Maine; University of Miami (Ohio); University of Minnesota; University of
 Washington; University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; and Western Michigan University

   Status: - Significant infrastructure and capacity is already in place among the partners with the ability 
   to add additional partners as warranted

                     -  The partners have already established a working relationship through a memorandum of 
   understanding and have committed to work together cooperatively and seamlessly

                     -  The partners have analyzed and prioritized key knowledge gaps and identified key enabling 
   technologies to be delivered in achieving new and improved forest-based materials and
   materials platforms through new and novel fiber engineering, fiber processing, and
   bioconversion

                     -  Initial federal funding of $2 million is needed with merit funding growth to $12 million per year
   as the program delivers the desired outcomes

   Future:    Expected outcomes:

·   Healthy, less fire prone forests

·    New generations of high performance, value-added sustainable forest-base materials and product platforms

·    Increased international competitiveness

                               Laboratory; Telephone: 608-231-9318; e-mail: crisbrudt@fs.fed.us

                               Harry Cullinan, Director, Pulp and Paper Education and Research Center, Auburn

                               University; Telephone 334-844-2016; e-mail: cullinan@eng.auburn.edu