Over the past three years, Aegis Conservation has been fortunate to be part of the Forest Business Alliance (FBA)—a network of individuals and organizations dedicated to supporting small, local, tribal, and community-based forest businesses through technical assistance, peer learning, and capacity-building.

Launched in 2022 with a three-year, $1 million grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), FBA advances the agency’s goal of fostering healthy, resilient forests and the communities that depend on them.

One of the many groups FBA has supported is the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. We recently published a case study highlighting the Tribe’s Elder, Share & Sale Firewood Program (read here). It began as a grassroots volunteer effort and has grown into a year-round operation with industrial-grade equipment and a full-time, trained field crew that processes over 1,000 cords of firewood annually. This initiative provides affordable, sustainable heating for Tribal members while supporting forest health and local employment. The Washoe Tribe’s leadership shows how cultural stewardship, ecological restoration, and community resilience can come together to build a sustainable future for both people and the land.

Key takeaways from the Washoe Tribe’s experience include:

• Culturally Grounded Solutions. The Tribe’s Elder, Share & Sale Firewood Program addresses energy insecurity through a culturally rooted, community-driven approach that prioritizes elder care and traditional lifeways.
• Integrated Environmental & Social Impact. By sourcing firewood from forest thinning and restoration projects, the Program reduces wildfire risk and helps restore landscapes.
• Innovative Cross-Subsidy Model. A three-part structure—free firewood for elders, low-cost wood for disadvantaged households, and commercial sales—ensures equitable energy access and generates revenue to sustain operations.
• Economic Development and Workforce Training. The Program creates jobs for tribal members, and supports year-round training and employment, building a pipeline of future stewards.
• Replicable & Scalable Solution. The Washoe Tribe’s strategic investment of tribal resources, use of grant funds, and development of partnerships with restoration programs demonstrates a scalable approach for other tribal and rural communities.

The Washoe Tribe’s Program offers a compelling model for other Indigenous and rural communities across the West. The case study is worth reading for those interested in implementing similar community-based forestry initiatives.

Huge thanks to everyone at FBA, to our partner organizations, and especially to the Washoe Tribe for showing what’s possible when purpose and practice align.