Building a Wildfire Resistant Future: Markets, Biomass and Partnerships

Originally aired May 15, 2025

A panel discussion on developing scalable wildfire resilience strategies through market-driven forest restoration, biomass utilization, and cross-sector partnerships. Co-hosted with ASU LightWorks, the conversation brings together fire management practitioners, forestry innovators, and policy experts to address the growing wildfire crisis across the American West and beyond.

Panelists explore how strategic collaboration between county governments, private sector biomass companies, watershed protection programs, and legal specialists can unlock the economic and ecological potential of forest restoration — while building lasting community resilience.

Speakers

Jay Smith

Director, Coconino County Forest Restoration, Arizona

Jay Smith leads forest restoration efforts for Coconino County, Arizona, working to reduce wildfire risk and restore ecosystem health across one of the most fire-prone landscapes in the American West.

Zack Knight

CEO, Blue Mountain Forest Partners

Zack Knight is the CEO of Blue Mountain Forest Partners, a company developing market-driven solutions for forest restoration and biomass utilization to address wildfire risk at scale.

Neil Chapman

Flagstaff Fire Department; Manager, Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project

Neil Chapman serves with the Flagstaff Fire Department and manages the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project, overseeing community-scale forest thinning and fire mitigation efforts that protect the city’s water supply and surrounding communities.

Marc Osborn

Public Affairs Specialist, KutakRock

Marc Osborn is a public affairs specialist at KutakRock, focusing on the policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks that shape forest restoration, biomass markets, and wildfire resilience initiatives.

William Brandt (Moderator)

Director of Strategic Integration, ASU LightWorks

William Brandt is the Director of Strategic Integration for ASU LightWorks, where he supports renewable energy communities of practice and facilitates multidisciplinary collaboration on energy, sustainability, and governance challenges.