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Forest Futures

Creative Solutions for our Forests and Communities

Our forests need our help. Thinking differently, we can prevent catastrophic wildfire and create a better future. 

Our Forest Futures program envisions:

  • Creating a Forest Venture Lab to fuel innovation
  • Cultivating a sustainable new economy for our region
  • Local workers earning living, full-time wages
  • A safer community and healthier forests

149 Million Dead Trees, Catastrophic Wildfire, a Changing Climate

Tahoe’s forests have piles of dead trees and branches

Poor forest management and no natural fires left our forests overcrowded. They're in danger of wildfire.

Weather patterns are changing our mountains

Long droughts, more dangerous fire seasons, inconsistent snow patterns. We need to adapt to our new norms.

A lack of local and state-wide infrastructure

makes it impossible to thin forests at the rate they need. Mills were shut down a long time ago. We need a way to get biomass out of the forest.

FOREST FUTURES PROGRAM

Convening experts and fueling innovation

The Forest Futures Salon Series

When unlike-minded people engage in productive conversations, they innovate. So far, our nine salons have convened scientists, investors, policymakers, artists and entrepreneurs together to work towards forest solutions.

Upcoming Virtual Event: Thursday, Oct. 29 | 3:30-5:30pm

Attend a Forest Futures Salon

Fueling Innovation 

The Forest Futures Fund was established in 2019 to fund innovative solutions. It will take private, public, and philanthropic funding to act quickly enough to protect our forests. Donate today to help us make a $200,000 match for forest solutions.

Forest Venture Lab

The Forest Venture Lab will build companies that provide business solutions for our woody biomass. The Forest Venture Lab will originate, develop and grow new ventures.
The Lab will match entrepreneurs with opportunities with financial, social, and environmental returns. These scalable solutions can create market demand and be used in other rural forested communities.
The lab will focus on:
  • Sustainable climate action
  • Land stewardship
  • Forest health
  • Carbon sequestration
  • Converting existing woody biomass to higher-value products and services

 

Donate to the Forest Futures Fund

Forest Futures Project Lead

Robert Suarez, Project Lead

An entrepreneur, designer, and impact driver, Robert is focused on solutions that drive positive impact for the planet. After spending two decades working with large corporations, startups, and impact partners, Robert knows what drives innovative ideas into market. Robert is on the founding executive team of Planet Home, where he directs the research for launching world-class experiential exhibits and environmental solutions. He has also led award-winning design and innovation teams as Managing Director of Singularity University Labs, as Design Director at IDEO, and as a founding member of multiple technology startups.

Do you share our passion for forest health and innovative solutions?

Email Robert Suarez