FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2026
Sacramento, CA — The State of California today announced the formation of the state’s first California Mass Timber Coalition, a new public-private partnership designed to accelerate the adoption of mass timber construction, drive forest health and wildfire mitigation efforts, and accelerate economic development across the state’s rural and urban communities.
The Coalition brings together state and federal agencies, county and local governments, research institutions, industry representatives, forest sector organizations, non-profit organizations, and community partners to support the establishment of an in-state mass timber industry, advancing manufacturing and climate-smart construction with the goal of building resilient communities and advancing California’s forest health goals and climate initiatives.
The Coalition will also work to establish state policy and regulations that drive positive outcomes for both utilization and manufacturing of in-state mass timber, as well as industry development and market growth.
Mass timber—engineered wood products such as cross laminated timber (CLT), dowel laminated timber (DLT), and nail-laminated timber (NLT)—offers a low carbon alternative to traditional construction materials. By utilizing wood sourced from sustainable forest management practices, mass timber can help reduce carbon emissions, support forest restoration, and create new jobs in local manufacturing and construction industries.
As a construction material, it offers a range of benefits, combining sustainability with practical performance advantages. Because it is lightweight yet remarkably strong, panels can be manufactured off site and installed rapidly, reducing construction timelines and on site disruption. Its renewable nature and ability to store carbon make it a climate forward alternative, and its natural thermal properties improve energy efficiency.
“The establishment of the California Mass Timber Coalition marks a significant step forward in our efforts to advance sustainable building practices while improving the health of California’s forests and landscapes,” said Terry O’Brien, Chair of the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. “This collaborative approach will help California leverage innovation, reduce wildfire risks, and support economic opportunities for communities throughout the State.”
The Coalition’s work will help boost California’s broader climate and forest resilience goals, including expanding sustainable wood markets, reducing the amount of forest fuel and woody biomass that contributes to catastrophic wildfires, and promoting lower carbon construction materials in both public and private development.
More information about the Coalition and its upcoming initiatives will be released in the coming months. To learn more about the Board’s wood and biomass-related work, please visit the Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation webpage.
For more information on the California Mass Timber Coalition, contact Katie Harrell at (916) 698-1035 or katie.harrell@bof.ca.gov.
Top photo credit: Patrick Kallerman
