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What: Municipal urban wood programs are a cornerstone of the urban wood industry. Across the country, cities have built partnerships with local urban wood processors. At this educational webinar, audience members will learn about Harrisonburg, Virginia urban wood projects and collaborations with Rocktown Urban Wood.
When: Thursday, May 28, 12 p.m. Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific
Program Description:
The Harrisonburg Urban Wood Program works to reclaim wood from trees that are removed in the city—whether due to storms, disease, or development—and redirects that material away from waste streams. Instead of ending up as mulch or landfill, the wood gets a second life.
That’s where Rocktown Urban Wood comes in as a key partner. They take that salvaged wood and transform it into usable products—furniture, lumber, and custom pieces—while also supporting local craftsmanship and small-scale manufacturing.
Together, the partnership does a few important things:
· Reduces waste by repurposing urban trees
· Supports the local economy through skilled labor and woodworking
· Preserves local character by keeping materials tied to the community
· Promotes sustainability in a very visible, tangible way
Harrisonburg has strong community buy-in and valuable public-private partnerships for this program.
Presenters:
Jeremy Harold, City of Harrisonburg Virginia Green Space Manager
Jeremy Harold recieved a degree in Forestry and a Business Managment. With experience working in both private and public sector forestry, including for Bartlett Tree Experts and the Virginia Dept of Forestry. Since 2004 Jeremy has worked at the City of Harrisonburg. He brings experience establishing multiple municipal programs including the Pollinator Urban Forestry and Urban Wood Programs. The Harrisonburg Urban Wood Program was awarded the Virginia Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award in 2022.
Ned Gearing and Rhett Miles, Rocktown Urban Wood
Ned Gearing and Rhett Miles are the founders of Rocktown Urban Wood. They collectively have over 40 years of expereince in craftsmanship, art, and construction. Rocktown Urban Wood recycles local urban forest waste into high quality beautiful pieces and partners with the City of Harrisonburg and other local stakeholders.
Learn more about successul municipal partnerships in our publication Urban Wood Utilization: Municipal Case Studies.
There are more reasons than ever to join the Urban Wood Network, which we highlight in this month’s newsletter. Also, meet the two newest volunteer board members helping to chart our path forward.
Urban Wood Network is pleased to share that we are now partnering with the folks at 1% for the Planet as part of our fundraising efforts. 1% for the Planet offers unique marketing opportunities to celebrate both for-profit and nonprofit businesses doing good work all over the world. If you’re a business that participates in philanthropy, it may be of interest to take a look at what they offer.
If you’re already a participating 1% for the Planet business, we would like to invite you to consider designating donations to UWN through their program. Funds will be used to continue strengthening UWN, building our networks, and further promoting the great work of our members!