Forest carbon programs can be a win-win for the landowners who commit to climate-smart forest management, as well as businesses that choose to invest in these important conservation projects. For timberland owners, a legally binding commitment to defer harvests is what makes it possible to generate certified carbon credits. For businesses, U.S.-based family forest carbon projects give them a way to invest in climate solutions that are backed by high-resolution data, and sophisticated analysis, have substantial environmental co-benefits, and provide financial support to rural communities.
7 Benefits of a Carbon Credit Forest Program
1. Payment for Ecosystem Services
For many years, forests have been monetarily valued solely for the wood products they provide, i.e., what can be extracted from the forest. LandYield’s carbon program for small family forests is helping shift this paradigm by valuing healthy, functioning forests for the ecosystem services they provide, particularly the carbon they sequester. The advantage to this form of value is that landowners can realize revenue while stewarding their forest toward more biodiverse, mature woodlands. Mature forests provide many public goods in addition to carbon sequestration such as increased water and soil quality, diverse wildlife habitat, and enhanced recreation opportunities. By quantifying carbon gains, our program provides income that can help alleviate pressure to develop, harvest, or sell land, keeping forests intact and in the family.
2. Preservation and Enjoyment of Your Land
By committing to stewarding your forest toward maturity, you’re playing an important part in improving the environment for future generations. We help and encourage our members to work with local foresters in devising and implementing long-term management plans that achieve their environmental and financial goals. Through our program, it’s possible to support wildlife habitat, provide recreational opportunities, and improve water quality, all while generating revenue from carbon.
3. Long-Term Growth
In addition to providing environmental benefits, your forest land will likely continue to grow in value for the duration of the carbon credit program.* After the initial 20-year crediting period is over, it may be possible to renew your carbon project for another 20 years or begin ecologically harvesting forest growth. Either way, you will have gained 20 years of forest growth and been paid to do so.
4. Income Diversity
While enrolled in the carbon credit program, your land can still generate income from other sources. Collection of non-timber products and leasing hunting and camping rights are examples of activities that allow you to reap financial rewards in addition to those provided by program participation.
5. Contributing to Natural Climate Solutions
Deferring timber harvesting allows forests to capture and store significant amounts of additional carbon. Doing this at scale has been shown to be one of the most cost-effective methods for mitigating climate change. By committing to defer harvests on your forest lands, you are playing an important part in a much larger effort to restore our environment and leave a positive legacy for future generations.
6. Reaching Business Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) Goals, Supporting Rural America
Investing in forest carbon credits can help businesses achieve ambitious environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals in a cost-effective way. As LandYield’s program is only open to small, non-industrial private forest owners in the U.S., it allows conscientious companies to invest in their climate goals in a way that largely benefits rural communities. Families and private individuals are the largest group of forest owners in the U.S., LandYield is helping keep it that way.
7. Make a Measurable Difference
Businesses and other organizations that invest in the credits generated through the LandYield carbon credit program are making a tangible commitment to sustainability. Many of today’s customers and investors prefer working with companies that are taking an active role in environmental stewardship and making a measurable difference. Carbon programs represent an opportunity for the business sector to give back to rural communities and the planet, and for landowners to generate additional revenue while staying true to their environmental values.
How to Get Started
Carbon markets were not always accessible to owners of private family forests. However, landowners in the southeast United States with 40 to 5,000 acres of timberland can now take part in the LandYield carbon credit program. In return for a 40-year commitment, landowners receive regular income, expand the value of their timber, and help support the environment.
Learn more about LandYield and the powerful benefits of carbon credits — or get in touch and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
*LandYield makes no claims or predictions regarding future timber prices or forestland value.
