Today Forest Concepts LLC announced a minority equity investment in the company by Mountain West Helicopters LLC, Alpine, Utah.
Bryan Burr, president and owner of Mountain West Helicopters, stated, “Over the past two years, Forest Concepts’ patented WoodStraw Erosion Control Mulch (ECM) has become an important treatment applied for erosion prevention on critical and sensitive burned areas resulting from wildfires. In addition to being an effective erosion control, the additional unique benefits of being 100 percent weed-free, resistant to high winds, long-lasting, encouraging re-vegetation and easy application by our helicopters are making WoodStraw ECM the treatment of choice on critical areas following wildfires.”
Mike Perry, CEO of Forest Concepts, adds, “Mountain West’s input and collaboration on the physical aspects of the WoodStraw ECM bales and delivery systems – along with its ground and air operations – have produced superior results on USDA Forest Service post wildfire treatment projects. These include the October, 2008, Draper Canyon treatment south of Salt Lake City, and the Porcupine Ranch treatment near Moab, Utah, where WoodStraw ECM was applied to slopes exceeding 60 percent and to a critical collector basin that feeds directly into Castle Valley, Utah, and the Colorado River.
“During 2008, Mountain West Helicopters was Forest Concepts’ most significant purchaser of WoodStraw ECM, and Bryan Burr’s confidence and support has enabled our company to make improvements to our WoodStraw ECM production process and capacity, and to build inventory.”
In June, 2008, 730 tons of WoodStraw ECM was applied by Mountain West Helicopters to the severely burned ridges in the Sawtooth National Forest above Ketchum, Idaho, following the 2007 Castle Rock Wildland Fire.
MEDIA: DVDs with videos of Mountain West’s ground crews staging and helicopters applying WoodStraw ECM near Sun Valley are available on request.
Since production of WoodStraw ECM began in June, 2006, more than 4,000 tons have been delivered to 21 national forests, 7 BLM districts, 7 surface/abandoned mine reclamation projects such as Crandall Canyon (Utah), DOTs, state and local agencies, and vineyards in Napa Valley.
Locally, WoodStraw ECM was selected and used as the mulch around the new City of Kent, Wash., Special Event Center.
WoodStraw ECM is available in regular bales of 50 lbs. and in large bales of 575 lbs. for easy application by hand, blower or helicopter.
About WoodStraw:
WoodStraw ECM is a patented, engineered, wood strand erosion control material manufactured from untreated scrap veneer – primarily Douglas fir, by Forest Concepts LLC in Auburn, Wash. WoodStraw ECM was designed and engineered to meet the very rigorous needs of erosion control with unique benefits such as being 100 percent weed and chemical-free, resistant to high winds, long lasting with four or more years of functional life, very effective in preventing erosion and promoting re-vegetation, and, in addition, animals will not eat it. WoodStraw ECM can be seeded under or over for effective re-vegetation.
About Forest Concepts LLC:
Established in 1998, privately-held Forest Concepts LLC is an innovative forest products company that along with its co-founder and inventor of WoodStraw ECM, Jim Dooley, are nationally recognized leaders in the commercialization of new uses for smallwood and biomass available as a co-product of forest management and wildfire protection. The company has developed and patented erosion control such as WoodStraw ECM, specialized smallwood structures and related materials for habitat enhancement, and, most recently, revolutionary portable biomass baler technology.
About Mountain West Helicopters LLC:
The professionals at Mountain West Helicopters provide all helicopter lifting needs – from fighting wildfires and post-fire treatments to logging and construction. Beginning in 2002 with the Hayman Fire in Colorado, Mountain West Helicopters has become the industry expert in aerial mulching and fire reclamation. Using the KMAX helicopter and Bell medium lift helicopters, Mountain West has perfected the techniques necessary to effectively and economically apply erosion control treatments like WoodStraw ECM to thousands of acres of national and state forests.
Contacts:
Forest Concepts LLC
Michael C. Perry, CEO
Investor and Media Relations
(253) 333-9663
mperry@forestconcepts.com
http://www.woodstraw.com
Mountain West Helicopters LLC
Bryan Burr, President/Owner
Alpine, Utah
(816) 216-4001
bjburr@mwheli.com
http://www.mwwheli.com
Forward Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements related to Forest Concepts products and its other research and development programs. These forward-looking statements are based upon Forest Concepts’ current expectations. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Forest Concepts’ actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties. The public should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of the press release. Forest Concepts expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.
Contact:
Michael Perry
Forest Concepts LLC
3320 West Valley Hwy N
Suite 110
Auburn, WA 98001
Phone: (253) 333-9663
Fax: (253) 833-2639
mperry@forestconcepts.com