The Business Case for Mass Timber and Wildfire Resilience

Webinar Summary: Climate change is impacting the health of overly dense North American forests, and the devastating wildfires witnessed in recent years are projected to increase in both frequency and intensity. The repercussions of these fires broadly affect the water supply, air quality and economy in both rural and urban areas. In this session, expert panelists will give an overview of the science behind wildfires and impacts on real estate, stressing the urgency for immediate action to maintain livability of the Western U.S. The session will conclude with a deep dive on the business case for mass timber, a building-scale solution that offers the ability to increase demand for forest products, helping to create an economic rationale for thinning our overly dense forests. Mass timber products, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), can contribute to forest health, sustainability, and the financial bottom line. Developers of the early mass timber buildings have benefitted from differentiation of an exposed timber aesthetic that is broadly appealing to tenants. Attend this session to learn about the initial findings emerging from WoodWorks’ mass timber business case studies, a value creation analysis that also offers insights on lessons learned, challenges and successes of mass timber developments throughout the U.S.