Excited to represent the Clemson Wood Utilization + Design Institute (WU+DI) at the Markets Matter Convening in Madison, Wisconsin this week, Organized by the US Endowment for Forestry and Communities — joining leaders from across industry, government, research, conservation, and investment to address one of the most pressing challenges facing the forest sector: creating sustainable markets for low-value wood fiber, including small-diameter timber and industry residues.
A particularly meaningful moment of the convening was seeing South Carolina highlighted as a national success story during the panel discussion “Success at the State Level – What We Can Learn from Where It Has Worked.” I had the privilege of sharing the stage in a dynamic conversation with Scott Phillips -SC State Forestry Commissioner- and Guy Sabin – Resource Development Section Chief at the South Carolina Forestry Commission- to discuss how coordinated partnerships across government, industry, academia, and landowners are helping position South Carolina as a leader in forest-based innovation and market transformation.
This conversation is about much more than biomass. It is about restoring market pathways that support healthy forests, rural economies, wildfire resilience, carbon-smart materials, renewable energy, and the next generation of forest-based innovation.
At WU+DI, we believe the future of forestry depends on connecting working forests to advanced manufacturing, circular bioeconomy systems, construction materials, packaging, chemicals, energy, and emerging technologies — while ensuring value flows back to landowners and communities.
Grateful to the organizers and partners bringing together this important national dialogue. The future of forest-based innovation will depend on coordinated action across sectors — and conversations like this are how that work begins.
From right to left: Scott Jones, CEO Forest Landowners Association, Todd Petty, Dean of Warnell School of Forestry, University of Georgia, Guy Sabin, SC Forestry Commission Resource Development Section Chief, M. Soledad Peresin, Director Clemson University Wood Utilization + Design Institute, Pete Madden, CEO & President U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, Scott Prhillips, South Carolina State Foresty Commissioner, Tim Lowrimore, CEO & President Georgia Forestry Aasociation.
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