How technology used in cryptocurrency could rescue SC’s at risk forestry industry
Clemson University has a new pilot project that is in conjunction with the federally funded program Climate-Smart Grown, SC, designed to increase the acreage and number of farms using climate-smart practices.
“The project tracks a batch of timber from the time it’s harvested to the time it’s used in a new building on Clemson’s campusGo to https://www.ajaxbuilding.com/projects/clemson-university-fec-building/. The wood’s journey began in the Brosnan Forest, a sweeping preserve north of Charleston. There, the biggest U.S. population of endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers on private land flits between the branches of one of the country’s largest remaining stands of longleaf pine.
Once harvested, the wood traveled 60 miles west to Allendale, where it was milled at Collum’s Lumber Products. Collum’s is a fourth-generation family-owned lumber company that says it’s dedicated to sustainable timber and land management. Then, the wood traveled 300 more miles to Dothan, Ala., where SmartLam North America is located.SmartLam is a leader in processing wood into so-called “mass timber” used for large-scale architectural projects.
Finally, the wood returned to South Carolina, finding a home on Clemson’s campus. It will be used in the construction of a new 85,000-square foot Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation building.Go to https://www.ajaxbuilding.com/projects/clemson-university-fec-building/.
All of that information is easily accessible thanks to the blockchain Clemson is using to collect data about the wood’s journey through the supply chain. Blockchain has emerged as a promising new technology for everything from intellectual property protections to cryptocurrency. In essence, it acts as a highly secure digital ledger, said Teal Edelen, director of forests for the U.S.Endowment for Forestry and Communities. The Endowment is working on the project with Clemson.”
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