On the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains between national forest and cattle rich green pastures lies the small town of Buffalo, WY (population <5,000). This is the home of the Clear Creek Wood Bank, a non-profit that was organized by community leader and State Forester, Kelly Norris (featured in the Wood Shed: Profile in Compassion) who serves as Chair of the board of directors. Through volunteer dedication and commitment from a local logger, Clear Creek Wood Bank has successfully served communities east of the Bighorn Mountain Range for three years and now has their eye on expansion. Modeled after their well-used food pantry, this community oriented wood bank addresses heat insecurity through supplemental firewood available for pick up.
Nick Norris, Vice Chair of Clear Creek Wood Bank and legal counsel, shared a story of the early days before Clear Creek Wood Bank was formed. His career started in forestry, first as a seasonal firefighter and then running a tree-service business. The business frequently left him with loads of logs that needed to be disposed of. He leased property in Laramie, WY to store the wood and then would regularly haul logs to a logging operation where it was processed. On one trip with a truck full of logs he was waved down by two people on the side of the road who had watched him repeatedly drive by with loads of wood. Curiosity got the better of them and so they asked, “what are you doing with all that wood?” Nick explained the situation and they quickly offered him their land to store the wood for free, with the condition that they could use some for firewood. “A big stack of firewood is better than money in the bank” they said, a message which stuck with Nick, who went on to help launch the Clear Creek Wood Bank.
Clear Creek’s current model was designed to be consistent and sustainable; today, they serve over 400 homes a year providing one rack of firewood per patron, pick up days take place weekly throughout the winter. Each rack holds 1/7th of a cord of cut wood enough to provide about a week of heating. Patrons who drive in from a distance are sometimes allowed 2 racks or given permission to “clean up” scrap wood from the yard. Distribution days are staffed by volunteers and often 5th-10th grade school children from the Buffalo Christian Academy.
Clear Creek believes firewood is a crucial civic activity. Working together with other people on something bigger than ourselves not only makes firewood – it builds community well-being that is crucial to their youth and future generations.
The community steps up with regular donations and every little bit adds up. Some recipients of firewood send in small donations or letters of appreciation. All donations no matter the amount are recorded and a personalized “Thank You” is sent back to all donors. I had the privilege of mingling with their crew of volunteers, including some students, at their annual volunteer appreciation barbeque. Clear Creek’s mutual aid model was great to observe in action. Everyone had positive things to share about their time with Clear Creek Wood Bank and I was impressed with the power hidden within their community.
Clear Creek Operations
A donated Eastonmade industrial grade log processor has recently transformed Clear Creek’s firewood bank. The processor can section whole logs and split each stump 12 ways before piling the firewood into a neat stack. It’s capable of processing 50 cords of wood an hour. The output of this new machine will save time and resources and allow for growth around the state. The board envisioned sharing the processor with other firewood banks to reduce physical labor related barriers; Clear Creek wood lot could distribute processed wood to all firewood banks neighboring the Bighorn Mountains and inspire new firewood banks to form. This vision would require large trucks for hauling; a walking floor cargo trailer is on their wish list for a future major investment.
The meticulous documentation of data, like patron visits and wood issued, is recorded by Paul Mumm, treasurer of the wood bank. With the moisture meter purchased through the Firewood Bank Assistance program grant Mumm now also records the moisture content of new wood deliveries. With only 12-16 inches of precipitation and frequent wind in Wyoming’s mountainous climate, most wood dries out quickly. After announcing a 3% decrease in moisture over a 2 day time frame, Paul remarked with excitement, “the moisture meter makes it possible to see the change day by day.”
Clear Creek also received funding through the AGH grant to construct an onsite warming shed complete with an EPA certified efficient wood stove. The shed was constructed by fellow volunteers and made from locally sourced wood products. The small space serves both as a secure place to store small tools and to warm volunteers during the winter.
As we meet the people who run existing firewood banks we are left inspired by how tangible energy equity really is. No two firewood banks are the same yet have the same objective, to minimize heating insecurity. Mutually supporting energy access highlights the strength that exists in numbers, in this town the small group of people dedicated to looking after each other has proven itself a success.
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