A Year in Review: 10 Top Stories from the SLB

Happy 2025 to our investors, colleagues, and industry partners. As we close the 2024 chapter, we wanted to share with you a quick recap of the top stories from the SLB last year. As we continue to work towards our mission to make softwood lumber the building material of choice in commercial, residential, and outdoor construction in the United States, we reflect on the impact the SLB and its funded programs made last year. We are also mindful of the recent wildfires in Los Angeles and the hardships faced by those affected. Our thoughts are with the communities impacted.

1. 2025 Mass Timber Competition: Building Sustainable Schools Launches in October
The competition, funded by the SLB and USDA Forest Service, will award funds totaling $1.8 million to support projects that accelerate the pace of mass timber adoption in the U.S., specifically in the K-12 learning environment.
2. SLB’s Mass Timber Accelerator Programs Expand Demand for Wood Construction
The SLB has funded mass timber accelerator programs in Boston, New York City, and Atlanta and is seeking additional cities and program partners for 2026 to expand its impact and support the growth of mass timber construction nationwide.
3. SLB Study Reveals Importance of WUI Code Work in Defending Market Share
A study for the SLB by Forest Economic Advisors (FEA) underscores the critical importance of the AWC and the SLB’s efforts to defend lumber use in wildfire-prone regions, with research revealing that up to 150 MM BF of siding and 770 MM BF of decking from the repair and remodeling market are at risk due to Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) code changes and adoption.
4. WoodWorks Supports Taller Light-Frame Wood Projects
WoodWorks has supported architects and engineers designing five-story or taller light-frame buildings by hosting education sessions, developing resources, and providing 1:1 technical assistance.
5. Building the Future: Architecture Students Embrace Wood at Build Fest 2024
To encourage education and foster a connection with wood-based solutions, the SLB sponsored Build Fest, a unique initiative that allows postsecondary students to not only conceptualize but also physically construct designs using wood, giving them hands-on experience.
6. The SLB Identifies Opportunity for Steel-Timber Hybrid Construction
Steel-timber hybrid construction represents one of the greatest areas of opportunity for the industry, according to a study for the SLB by FEA, with steel and mass timber warehouses representing a potential annual volume of 2.4 BBF, while steel and mass timber multifamily projects represent 3.6 BBF of annual opportunity.
7. The AWC Releases New Regional EPDs to Meet Market Demand for Sustainability Data
The AWC released three of four regional EPDs, marking the first time the U.S. lumber industry has developed and published regional EPDs and responding to the design industry’s continued requests for more granular data.
8. Think Wood’s Single-Family Home LookBook Offers Inspiration for Builders and Residential Contractors
Think Wood’s coverage of residential case studies showcases the critical role wood plays in the home building industry and demonstrates innovative approaches to using wood beyond the framing of a home, helping defend market share in this segment.
9. From Forest to Classroom: SLB Faculty Workshops Drive Wood Education Nationwide
To significantly advance wood education, and with additional funding from the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, the SLB has been conducting a series of wood-focused faculty development workshops to enhance educators’ knowledge and enthusiasm for wood solutions.
10. The SLB Sponsors Former Super Bowl Champion-Turned-Designer to Deliver Poignant Talk About Wood at HBCU Event
SLB Education and Think Wood secured a speaking opportunity for former Super Bowl champion Michael Bennett, who spoke about his design firm’s use of wood at the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Spring Forum, hosted by the University of DC in March.