WoodsCamp

WoodsCamp operates as a technology-driven platform designed to connect private forest landowners with resources for sustainable land management. The company was founded in Nova Scotia around 2015 by Alastair Jarvis, a former video game executive and woodland owner, and Will Martin, a forest technician and environmental planner. Their combined expertise in technology and forestry addressed a key market gap: many private woodlot owners, often having inherited the land and living elsewhere, lacked the specific knowledge to manage their properties effectively.

The core of WoodsCamp's offering is a free, personalized property report generated through its online tool. By analyzing public GIS data, including forest cover, soil content, and wildlife habitats, the platform provides landowners with insights into their property's characteristics. Landowners can then input their personal goals, which may range from wildfire risk reduction and wildlife habitat improvement to sustainable timber harvesting. Based on this combination of property data and owner objectives, WoodsCamp matches landowners with relevant programs, funding opportunities, and local forestry professionals. This process streamlines access to conservation programs and technical assistance, which can otherwise be complex for individuals to navigate.

Initially focused on creating a more transparent marketplace for timber in Nova Scotia, the company pivoted to the U.S. market, emphasizing broader sustainability and land stewardship goals. This strategic shift led to a partnership and subsequent acquisition in June 2018 by the American Forest Foundation (AFF), a national conservation organization. Operating as a subsidiary of the AFF, WoodsCamp became a key tool for the foundation to achieve its mission of engaging more family forest owners in active stewardship. The acquisition integrated the WoodsCamp team into the AFF and provided the resources to scale the platform across numerous U.S. states. The service is provided free to landowners, functioning as a crucial outreach and engagement tool for the AFF and its partners to implement conservation projects related to water quality, climate resilience, and sustainable wood supplies.

Keywords: forest management, landowner resources, sustainable forestry, conservation technology, woodlot owners, American Forest Foundation, land stewardship, forest data, property analysis, wildfire risk reduction, wildlife habitat, timber harvesting, conservation programs, Alastair Jarvis, Will Martin, Family Forest Carbon Program, sustainable wood supply, forest health, private woodland owners, conservation easements