As society seeks climate solutions that decarbonize cities and leverage the carbon benefits of forests and trees, mass timber – a family of massive engineered wood building construction materials used in primarily in large buildings – is frequently cited as a powerful tool to achieve multiple benefits. Nationwide, more mass timber apartment buildings, community centers, schools, and offices are opening their doors, and domestic mass timber supply is gradually increasing as well. As mass timber momentum builds, leaders across the U.S. are working to facilitate mass timber ecosystems that maximize mass timber’s forest, carbon, and climate benefits in ways that reflect the specific needs and contexts of the communities and environments in those regions.

In her 2023 book, “Designing Forests and Other Mass Timber Futures,” NYC architect and educator Lindsey Wikstrom investigated mass timber supply chains to understand how growing mass timber’s presence in the built environment can best respect, protect, and benefit communities, cultures, economies, and the built environment.

Wikstrom moderates a panel of mass timber leaders from across the U.S. who will highlight programs, policies, people, and practices that are advancing mass timber ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest, Colorado, Michigan/the Great Lakes Region, George, New England, and New York City.