Dogwood Alliance

This year on World Wildlife Day we’re taking a deeper look at how Southerners feel about logging. A recent survey found that Southerners have deep reservations about logging. Over two-thirds of those surveyed said that logging in their local area was harming both wildlife and people. Over half agreed that they’d seen logging around their […]

The renewable energy boom continues to grow across the world. We must examine the true implications of energy projects like these. Environmental racism is when specific communities, like BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or People of Color) neighborhoods, are subjected to more environmental harms than their white neighbors. Communities experiencing environmental racism might be subjected to: Higher […]

By creating habitats for native species in your area, you can help them thrive. Learn how to increase biodiversity in your garden or backyard. Every little step counts. Let’s get started! What Is Biodiversity? Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth. It’s made up of all living things: plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, and more. […]

NCDEQ Has Granted Enviva a Permit to Expand in Ahoskie What is the purpose of an Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board (EJEAB) if their recommendations go ignored? North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) organized the EJEAB in 2018. The EJEAB advises the state (NCDEQ) on matters of environmental justice and equity. In November […]

Woody biomass (bioenergy) is energy derived from trees. Bioenergy made from wood comes with steep environmental costs. Side effects of this industry include: air pollution during production air pollution during combustion water pollution and runoff during forest destruction forest destruction conversion of natural forests to pine plantations conversion of natural forests to developed land less […]

This blog was co-authored with Nataly Perez Manrique.  Climate change is one of the most important and pressing issues facing humanity around the globe. No matter where you live, you’ll experience climate change and its environmental and health impacts. These include more extreme weather like hurricanes, flooding, and drought. Or more persistent and ever-present effects […]

In a regenerative economy, we operate in harmony with nature. Businesses create conditions that regenerate and heal the planet. This concept builds on ecological design, which tries to restore balance in nature. We need to create a sustainable economy, one that: supports human life and well-being reduces fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions prioritizes climate […]

We have several job opportunities for which we are seeking qualified applicants. They include full-time employment, a part-time contractor position, and two full-time temporary fellowships. We value and respect all types of diversity. We strongly encourage applicants from marginalized groups to apply. Click on the links below for application information. Director of Finance & Operations […]

It’s time to look back at 2022, where it took us, and where we’re heading. Something profound is happening. The biomass industry’s house of cards is collapsing. The wood pellet industry has run rampant for nearly a decade. They’ve gained support behind closed doors. Support from governments around the world, private investors, and large conservation […]

Dogwood Alliance is horrified and saddened by the death of Manuel Teran. They were affectionately known as Tortuguita. Police shot and killed Tortuguita on January 18th in Atlanta’s Weelaunee Forest. This beautiful forest is in predominantly Black South Atlanta. It’s the proposed site of Cop City. Cop City is a project of the Atlanta Police […]

Climate change is one of the most pressing global issues of our time. It has the potential to cause drastic ecological changes that could threaten the existence of many species, including humans. It is important that we do what we can to adapt to climate change and mitigate its effects. What are the climate risks […]

In ecology, a symbiote is an organism that lives in close association with another organism. Symbiosis literally means “living together.” Let’s explore the fascinating world of forest interactions. We’ll discuss how different types of forest organisms work together to create a balanced ecosystem. From host plants and parasites to tag-team situations, we’ll learn together about […]

As cities and human activities continue to expand, natural forests are under threat. In 2016 one of The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals was to fully stop deforestation by 2020. In that same year we lost 25.8 million hectares. So we’ve, unfortunately, fallen short of meeting that goal. Global Forest Watch reported that in 2020, […]

Trees and people share some things in common. We both have necks, veins, and we both get sick. Just as people can get sick with illnesses like malaria, chicken pox, or COVID-19, the world’s tree species can get sick with a list of diseases of their own. It probably never even occurred to you (or […]

Gloster, Mississippi is a predominantly (80%) Black community. Biomass company Drax Amite is polluting this community’s air 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. With no relief. My community of Adel, Georgia is facing similar environmental injustices from two proposed wood pellet facilities (and several other polluting industries, unfortunately). So […]

Polls show that BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) folks are less likely to engage in outdoor activities. Currently, they represent less than 15% of the outdoor community. There are several reasons for those numbers, but the lack of diversity in the outdoor industry and in leadership is one. Black-owned businesses often have a […]

Biomass, or bioenergy, creates energy by burning living materials like plants and trees. The wood pellet industry uses trees to make wood pellets. It then ships them to Europe and Asia where they’re burned in power plants to create electricity. Wood pellet plants are as dirty and problematic as coal plants. Burning trees (via burning […]

As the wood pellet industry grows across the US South, we’re asked again and again: Do Enviva or other wood pellet facilities clearcut forests? While the detailed answer is complex, the simple answer is: Yes. Enviva, Drax, and other wood pellet manufacturers ALL use wood from clearcut forests. Let’s break down where wood pellet production […]