The Government of Ontario announced an initial $1.5 million in funding for projects under the new Forest Biomass Program. The investments will develop the untapped economic potential and environmental benefit of new and emerging uses of underutilized wood and mill by-products, collectively known as forest biomass.

“In just a few months, our Forest Biomass Program has identified many promising forest sector initiatives, with many more projects we plan to support in the months to come,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “Today’s investment will begin to unleash the potential that biomass has to create good jobs, build strong communities and support healthy forests.”

According to a news release, each project supports new and emerging uses of forest biomass, the mill by-products from manufacturing, bark, shavings and sawdust, as well as trees or above-ground tree parts unsuited in the production of other forest products. These new projects will increase the use of Ontario’s forest resources while developing new technologies, improving productivity and providing environmental benefits.

The Forest Biomass Program will provide a $19.6 million investment in projects to harvest more Crown wood, create forest sector jobs and regional economic growth and find new uses for wood in collaboration with stakeholders, industry, and Indigenous communities.