The forestry industry in California is undergoing a significant transformation due to the effects of climate change and new building mandates aimed at carbon reduction. Assembly Bill 2446, passed in 2022, encourages the use of low-carbon construction materials, such as engineered wood, in place of concrete and steel for large buildings. However, California lacks a single engineered wood product manufacturer, creating an opportunity for entrepreneurs to fill this gap.
George Schmidbauer, president of Mad River Mass Timber, is one such entrepreneur. His company produces Dowel-Laminated Timber (DLT), a type of engineered wood made from local sawmills that support forest health and wildfire mitigation projects. Schmidbauer’s venture reflects his vision for the future of forestry, which prioritizes sustainability and climate resilience.
California’s forests have a long history of heavy use and neglect, with logging booming in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, by the mid-20th century, environmental concerns led to tighter regulations and a decline in the industry. The lack of active management and natural fire led to overgrowth, setting the stage for extreme wildfires. Today, policymakers and land stewards are rethinking forestry, focusing on restoration, resilience, and regeneration.
The mass timber industry offers a profitable alternative for wood that has historically been left behind, opening the door to a new generation of entrepreneurs. Mass timber utilizes overgrown small-diameter trees, transforming them into value-added engineered wood products. This approach is environmentally responsible and supports a wide variety of rural jobs, from forest thinning to manufacturing and precision fabrication.
California is poised to become a national leader in sustainable forestry entrepreneurship, with the convergence of market demand, ecological need, and political will creating an extraordinary opportunity for forestry careers in rural California. To support this growth, organizations such as the Sierra Business Council, Mother Lode Job Training, and Sierra Commons are offering resources and training, including a free Advanced Forest Entrepreneurship Bootcamp. With the right support, California can lead the way in sustainable forestry and create a new generation of entrepreneurs who prioritize climate resilience and environmental responsibility.