Nevada City, Calif. — As demand grows for skilled forest management businesses across California, a Northern California nonprofit is helping entrepreneurs turn that opportunity into a livelihood.
Sierra Commons, in partnership with the Sierra Business Council, will host a Forest Entrepreneurship Bootcamp July 18–19 in the Community Room at BriarPatch Co-op’s Auburn location. The two-day intensive is free for participants and covers the business fundamentals needed to launch or grow a forest-based enterprise, including financial planning, marketing, and government contracting and permitting.
Forest-based businesses are increasingly in demand as California invests heavily in wildfire mitigation, land stewardship, and forest health. Entrepreneurs in sectors such as forest thinning, defensible space services, prescribed fire, timber utilization, bioenergy, and home hardening are finding steady work and, in many cases, building substantial businesses serving both public agencies and private landowners.
Since 2024, Sierra Commons and Sierra Business Council have delivered 14 bootcamp cohorts, in-person and virtual, serving nearly 200 participants across the Sierra Nevada region. Graduates have launched businesses in land management, fuels reduction, prescribed fire, biomass utilization, and restoration services.
“The window to get into this sector is open right now. The demand is there, the funding is available, but what people need is a clear path forward. That’s what this bootcamp provides,” said Sierra Commons Executive Director Robert Trent.
The program’s integrated model combines structured curriculum, real-world application, and ongoing advising through the Small Business Development Center network. Graduates stay connected through the Sierra Commons Learning Hub, an online platform that provides continued support and peer community after training ends.
The bootcamp is funded through a Good Jobs Challenge grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, administered by the Foundation for California Community Colleges.
Registration is open at sierracommons.org/forest-entrepreneurship.
About Sierra Commons
Sierra Commons is a rural entrepreneurship organization serving Northern California since 2010. Through its Business Ignitor, Food Entrepreneur Accelerator, and Forest Entrepreneurship programs, Sierra Commons provides practical education, advising, and community support to help people build lasting businesses.
About Sierra Business Council
Sierra Business Council (SBC) catalyzes innovative approaches to increase community vitality, economic prosperity, environmental quality, and social fairness in the Sierra Nevada. More information on SBC’s impact can be found at www.sierrabusiness.org.
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