CHICO S.A.F.E & Biochar Coalition Presents
Community learning / Chico, California
Biochar
Generation
Field Day
Saturday, November 7, 2026
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM / Chico, CA
See woody material become biochar. Join us for a day of flame-cap kiln demonstrations, soil-building applications, and conversation about caring for the land.
Presented by Biochar Coalition
with S.A.F.E. / Student Association for Fire Ecology
What to expect
From woody material
to useful carbon.
Gather in the orchard to see how biochar is made, ask questions, and explore how it can be enriched and used in regenerative agriculture and land stewardship.
See flame-cap biochar production
Watch the kiln process and learn what operators observe as woody material converts to char.
Understand biochar and ash
Explore the differences, why retaining carbon matters, and what that means for soil applications.
Explore enrichment and soil use
Learn how biochar is enriched, applied, and utilized in regenerative agriculture.
Connect fire, forests, and community
Discuss forestry, fire fuels, Indigenous practices and historical context, and ways to get further involved.
Photographs from the Chico River Road field-work archive, April 2026.
Plan your visit
The right entrance. An easy arrival.
Chico, CA 95928
- Look for the red mailbox at the entrance on Chico River Road.
- Follow the green arrows and park in the areas marked P on the site map. Keep the access route clear.
- Do not enter the neighboring property. The red-hatched area on the map is off limits.
Before you arrive
Come prepared. Work safely.
This is an active outdoor fire demonstration. Hands-on participation requires suitable PPE, the safety briefing, and authorization from the event crew. Visitors who are not assigned to active work must remain in the designated observation area.
PPE for hands-on participation
Personal protective equipment required for active-kiln work:
- Non-melting long sleeves and full-length pants. Clothing must be appropriate for heat, flame, and the terrain. Avoid meltable synthetic clothing near the active kiln.
- Sturdy work boots. Wear closed-toe boots that provide stable footing and protection on uneven ground.
- Work gloves suited to the task. Bring suitable hand protection for handling woody material and tools.
- Eye protection. Safety glasses or goggles help protect against embers, debris, splash, and dust.
The crew may require additional head, hearing, high-visibility, face, or saw protection for specific tasks. Respiratory protection, when required, must follow the project's respiratory protection program. PPE alone does not authorize anyone to operate the kiln.
On-site safety expectations
- Check in and attend the briefing. Follow crew directions, assigned roles, and the site's emergency plan.
- Respect the exclusion zone. Keep clear of active flame, hot metal, hot char, smoke, and quenching steam.
- Handle equipment only when authorized. Ignition, feeding, tools, and quenching stay under the designated operator's control.
- Keep access and work routes clear. Stay in designated visitor and parking areas; do not enter neighboring land.
- Report concerns immediately. Tell the crew about injuries, escaping embers, changing wind, or equipment problems. Activity may pause or stop whenever safe control is uncertain.
Read the operational guide before attending.The Biochar Coalition field guide covers readiness, visitor management, PPE, and operational controls. This overview draws on pages 4-9; the site briefing and task-specific requirements govern participation.
Read the Operational GuideView the original event flyer
Share the flyer with friends, students, growers, and neighbors interested in biochar and land stewardship.