Someone once told me “Wood warms you three times: when you cut it, when you stack it, and when you burn it.” They were, of course, referring to the obvious fact that firewood provides warmth when burned, but also pointing out the other times that it provides the benefit of heat long before that final moment.

This proverb is an apt way to think about Wood for Life (WFL), a collaborative program involving the National Forest Foundation (NFF), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Indigenous groups, regional nonprofits, and other partners, that provides firewood to Indigenous and rural communities across the Western United States. While the most immediate impact of WFL is ensuring access to firewood for those who rely on it as a primary source of heat and cooking fuel, its benefits extend far beyond that final moment.

Just as the proverb begins with cutting, so too does the work of WFL. In both cases, this first step has far-reaching benefits beyond simply connecting communities with firewood. The wood distributed through WFL comes from National Forests, sourced through USFS restoration projects designed to improve forest health.

While the most visible outcome of this work is the supply of firewood to families in need, the process itself strengthens local ecosystems. By thinning overcrowded forests and removing small-diameter trees that sawmills typically don’t use, these projects enhance biodiversity, reduce competition for resources, and strengthen overall ecosystem resilience. Additionally, removing this material eliminates potential wildfire fuel, helping mitigate fire risk to nearby communities.

Once the wood has been harvested, it needs to be transported out of the forest and processed into usable firewood, or in keeping with the proverb, stacked. This process starts with the NFF contracting out the transportation of the wood to a local business, creating economic opportunity in predominately rural regions.

From there the wood is delivered to Wood Banks, community-run hubs operated by Indigenous groups and nonprofits that have the capacity to receive, process, and distribute large volumes of firewood to those who need it. Right now, much of the work required to process these large volumes of wood is handled by hardworking and dedicated volunteers who contribute their time into processing firewood for those who need it.

In the long term, the NFF and regional nonprofits are working to connect Wood Banks with funding to expand their capacity. The goal is to support them in becoming self-sustaining hubs that not only provide firewood but also create jobs and offer training in forestry and equipment use.

The final stage of the proverb, burning, is when firewood provides its most essential benefit, heat. In the regions where WFL operates, many Indigenous and rural households still rely on firewood as a primary heating source. Winters in these areas across the Southwest, where the largest WFL programs operate, can be harsh with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing.

Additionally, the closure of coal powered plants in the Southwest has contributed to an electricity crisis in the region, leaving many households without affordable and reliable heating options. WFL helps expand access to firewood in these parts of the country, supporting communities that depend on it as a critical resource.

As the proverb suggests, firewood provides warmth long before it burns, and the same is true of WFL. Beyond supplying firewood, WFL strengthens forest health, supports local economies, and bolsters community resilience. Its impact reaches far beyond the wood itself, creating lasting benefits at every stage.

Zak Kalesch is a 2025 Conservation Connect Fellow working with the NFF's Southwest team on the WFL program in New Mexico. He recently earned a master's degree in Conservation Leadership at Colorado State University.