The study outlines opportunities to reduce wildfire risk, cut greenhouse gases, and build a more regenerative future for Marin.
Fire Safe Marin is pleased to recognize the completion of The Marin Biomass Study: Pathways to Improved Biomass Utilization and a More Regenerative Economy. The project webpage, hosted by Marin Resource Conservation District (MRCD) website, provides detailed information and the full report is now available to the public.
This important new study looks at how Marin County can make better use of organic materials (aka “biomass”) generated by wildfire prevention work, landscaping, food scrap recovery, construction activity, agriculture, and wastewater treatment. At a high level, it identifies opportunities to move these materials out of the disposal stream (where they are treated as waste) and into a range of more better, local uses that support wildfire resilience, climate action, renewable energy, healthier soils, and long-term economic value.
For Marin residents, the study offers an important reminder that the work of reducing wildfire risk can also create broader environmental and community benefits when biomass is managed strategically.
Why this study matters
As Marin continues to expand vegetation management, defensible space efforts, and other wildfire risk-reduction work, more woody material is being generated across the county. At the same time, these and many other organic materials are still being landfilled or transported long distances for processing or combustion, resulting in lost value, added emissions, and missed local economic opportunities.
MRCD’s study reframes that challenge by asking how Marin can build a better system: a system that keeps more value local, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, supports healthier landscapes, and strengthens the county’s long-term resilience.
The result is a countywide roadmap for improving how biomass is managed in Marin over the coming decade.
What the study identifies
The study looked at Marin’s current biomass system and estimated how much biomass Marin is expected to generate in the next decade, looking specifically at woody and green materials, food scraps, agricultural residues, and digestate from wastewater treatment.
Its findings show that, while Marin already has several biomass pathways that recover and recycle these materials, much is still being landfilled or exported out of the county instead of being used locally in more beneficial ways. The study points to a better alternative that could help Marin reduce greenhouse gas emissions, expand local renewable energy, improve soil health, sequester carbon, and create more local value from materials already moving through the community.
Key opportunities highlighted in the study
The Study identifies several promising opportunities for Marin’s future biomass system.
Expanding composting capacity
As more green material is generated by wildfire prevention and landscape maintenance, Marin will need additional capacity to compost it locally. Composting can help keep organic material out of landfills and produce more useful biomaterials that support soil health, agriculture, and climate goals.
Scaling Up food scrap co-digestion
A successful local pilot already shows how commercial food scraps can be converted into biogas and renewable electricity at wastewater treatment facilities. The study identifies strong potential to scale up this model.
Exploring local energy production
Rather than sending woody construction and demolition materials long distances for combustion, the study highlights the potential to process more of that material closer to home, producing local renewable electricity and other useful products.
Restarting small-scale milling
Some large logs generated through tree work and vegetation management could be processed locally into useful wood products instead of being chipped and shipped out of the county, where they are burned and release the carbon within them. This approach would help keep more value local while storing carbon in wood products for longer periods of time.
Developing biochar production
The study also points to opportunities to convert wildfire-related woody biomass and wastewater digestate into biochar through co-pyrolysis. Biochar is a carbon-rich material that can be used in a variety of landscape and industrial operations. The Study explores ways that its application to land supports soil health and stores carbon.
Why this matters for residents
Although the subject is technical, the benefits are practical and countywide. A stronger biomass system can help Marin economically support more effective wildfire prevention, reduce landfill reliance, lower transportation-related emissions, expand local renewable energy, improve the health of working lands, and strengthen coordination among public agencies and partner organizations.
Just as importantly, the Study reinforces a larger point: wildfire resilience is closely connected to climate resilience, land stewardship, and long-term community sustainability. The material generated by wildfire safety programs and everyday life at homes and businesses does not need to be handled through disposal. With the right infrastructure and partnerships, it can become part of a broader local solution and a more vibrant, regenerative economy.
A collaborative effort with countywide importance
MRCD hosted this project and guided development of the Study in collaboration with a broad group of stakeholders. During the process, a Marin Biomass Collaborative was formed to bring together public agencies, local governments, sanitation districts, haulers, processors, environmental nonprofits, and other partners to share input and help shape the study’s recommendations.
This collaborative approach reflects the scale and richness of the opportunity. Biomass management touches wildfire safety, waste reduction, renewable energy, agriculture, and public infrastructure and investment, making long-term coordination essential to success.
Looking ahead
The completion of this study marks an important milestone for Marin County and for the many organizations working to reduce wildfire risk and build a more resilient future.
Fire Safe Marin is proud to help recognize this achievement and MRCD’s leadership in bringing the work to completion. The study provides a strong foundation for future planning, partnership, and investment in systems that can reduce risk, cut emissions, and create more local benefit from materials too often treated as waste. Ultimately, this is about more than biomass management. It is about building a safer, smarter, and more regenerative future for Marin County.
