PNW Biochar

PNW Biochar Meeting PNNL
John Miedema, May 3, 2009

An Invitation

On May 21st and 22nd, a regional Biochar meeting will be held at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland Washington. Please come and join in this important discussion and learning opportunity.

This summit has been organized by the PNW-Biochar Initiative to advance the idea of Biochar production and utilization as a means to employ surplus biomass to take carbon out of the atmosphere. Properly designed Biochar production has the ability to produce 3 key areas of benefit to people and the planet: thermal energy, soil fertility and carbon sequestration. Further benefits may be discovered in the remediation of watersheds, the creation of jobs in a sustainable industry, and ultimately, in biochar production as a tool to help mitigate global warming.

As long as we develop these projects mindfully --fully invested in complete carbon cycle evaluation--we can make a difference for future generations with biochar production.

This meeting will begin with technical sessions, including biochar’s potential role in climate change mitigation and an overview of Biochar production, from sophisticated systems to backyard char barrels. We will also be addressing a framework for sustainability protocols including a carbon offset presentation by The Climate Trust. We will tour biochar research laboratories, a cornfield plot amended with biochar, and an outstanding local winery in the Red Mountain appellation. Please see the attached agenda for a full schedule of the 2 days’ sessions.

There is no fee to join this meeting; however, space is limited. Please do RSVP and I will provide you with advice on accommodations. See PNNL Visitor Information and Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau for general information on visiting the area. Hope to see you there.
(feel free to forward this to colleagues who may be interested)

Sincerely,

John Miedema
BioChar Enthusiast
jmiedema@peak.org
cell 541-602-1388

Founder, PNW BioChar Group
http://groups.google.com/group/pnw-biochar?hl=en

About the PNW Biochar Initiative
The PNW Biochar Initiative is being created by this region's biochar-interested community in order to collaborate, innovate and lead in the field of biochar production, research, and utilization. The PNW Biochar group is a loosely affiliated group of colleagues who share and are actively developing sustainable economic, social, and environmental practices through biochar. At present, the PNW Biochar Initiative seeks to promote biomass energy, soil fertility and climate change mitigation, as an integrated whole at many scales.

Pacific Northwest Biochar
John Miedema, February 2009

Mission Statement
The PNW Biochar Initiative: to rigorously investigate biochar; advancing its' production, research and integration within whole systems as a means to mitigate global warming while producing green power and building soils; developing sustainability protocols, a field trials network and PNW conference

The Pacific Northwest is a fertile ground for promoting biochar as an essential tool in the mitigation of global warming and advancing the development of biochar as a soil enhancer. Not only does the PNW have the available biomass to support biochar production, this region has a unique culture of people with the talent and enthusiasm for sustainability-- capable of advancing the production, research and utilization of biochar.

Some topics we hope to address are:

The realities of biochar production, “best bet” technologies/methods and utilization
Protocols and certification of sustainable biochar production and identification of suitable feedstocks
A regional field trial network
Economic analysis and funding opportunities
A Pacific Northwest Biochar conference

See:
http://groups.google.com/group/pnw-biochar?hl=en