This organization has had considerable success, but it has been hard to maintain a flow of grant support and to link isolated wood businesses in meaningful partnerships. Two chapters of Woodnet in eastern Idaho and northwestern Montana have folded this year. Central Idaho Woodnet may form a for-profit venture to try cooperative marketing and manufacturing in stores and on the Internet. North Idaho Woodnet is exploring a pilot stewardship project that would harvest, process and sell products from a dense over-stocked forest. This issue is not about taking sides on timber sales and other public land decisions.
Small wood is where environmental and community interests seem to come together.
A great many Idaho forests have 5-10 times more trees than normal and are exposed to serious fire and disease risks. Many timber communities are reeling from mill closures and don't care to solely depend on tourism. Small Wood '98 began a dialogue toward some answers. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.