Carbon Opportunities for Forest Owners
A virtual symposium for forest property owners
Carbon sequestration for fun and profit
One of the most important ecosystem services our forests provide is carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change. This ecosystem service can be monetized in the form of carbon credits, where governments and corporations looking to offset their carbon emissions pay landowners to grow trees. Carbon credit markets have been around for years, but there have been few opportunities for people with small forest ownerships to participate. New market opportunities are emerging, though, which may finally make forest carbon payments for local small forest landowners a reality.
If you own wooded property, especially wooded property in King County, be sure to join us for this free virtual symposium to learn about emerging market opportunities for carbon credits. For property owners who are not interested in carbon credit payments but simply want to do their part to mitigate climate change, we will also talk about management strategies for carbon sequestration both in the forest and through generating long-lived wood products.
While part of the focus of the symposium will be King County, much of the content of this symposium will be applicable region-wide.
Sessions:
June 9th
6pm-7pm: Carbon Sequestration 101- the basics of the biogenic carbon cycle and strategies for Washington Forests and forest products to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases
Edie Sonne Hall, Founder and Principal, Three Trees Consulting
This talk will give an introductory overview carbon sequestration: the basics of how trees sequester carbon, above and below ground carbon stores in forests (including soil), carbon sequestration across the life cycle of a forest, from juvenile growth through old growth, and the concept of “optimizing” carbon sequestration to result in reduction in atmospheric GHGs. The talk will discuss Washington forests in the global context but provide examples related to Western Washington.
7pm-8pm: Carbon Smart Forestry – What is it and how do you measure it?
Elaine O’Neil, Executive Director, Washington Farm Forestry Association
Making sense of how to integrate the climate benefits of your forest into your forest ownership goals can be confusing. The easiest way to understand it is to ‘follow the carbon’. Join me to learn about forest carbon accounting which provides a more complete picture of the costs/benefits of different forest management choices.
June 16th
6pm-7pm: Forest Carbon Projects on King County Forestlands
Kathleen Farley Wolf, Forest Carbon Program Manager, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks
This talk will provide information on carbon project types and key features, how projects are created, selling forest carbon credits, and then will give an overview of the options for private landowners.
7pm-8pm: Forest Carbon Works: Carbon Market Access for the Small Woodland Owner
Sandy Letzing, Pacific Northwest Forester, Forest Carbon Works
This talk will offer information on Forest Carbon Works carbon market programs. Sandy will give a background on the carbon market, landowner eligibility, illustrate the process of applying for and completing a carbon project, and finally, discuss some of the ecological and financial benefits of carbon.
June 23rd
6pm-7pm: NCX Forest Carbon Program: A Carbon Program for all Forest Landowners
Mary Powers, Landowner Success Manager, NCX
This presentation will provide an overview of the Natural Capital Exchange- the forest carbon program that works for everyone: families, consulting foresters, institutional landowners, and universities. With NCX’s Basemap technology, they have helped democratize access to forest carbon programs across the contiguous U.S.
The NCX program uses satellite imagery, field measurements, and statistical models to estimate a landowner’s likelihood of harvest in the upcoming year. There’s no cost to participate, no minimum acreage required, and only a one-year harvest deferral commitment, making this program desirable for many!
7pm-8pm: Current Carbon Opportunities: For Small Forest Landowners, from a Small Forest Landowner
John Henrickson, Manager and Co-Owner of Wild Thyme Farm
From the perspective of an experienced small forest owner, this presentation will discuss the current carbon compensation programs available for small forest landowners. John will also cover strategies for increasing carbon volume while meeting timber production and other management objectives like wildlife habitat and water quality. John will share a personal example of a 40-acre parcel that qualified for carbon credits.
How to participate
This virtual symposium comprises three Thursday evening sessions. The sessions will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on June 9th, 16th, and 23rd, 2022. Different topics will be covered each evening.
This virtual symposium is free, but pre-registration is required. <Register online now.
Can’t make it on those dates? No problem! Please register anyway for access to the recording. You do not need to request the recording – all registrants will automatically receive a link to the recording by email several days after the webinar.
This webinar will be held via Zoom. Connection instructions will be provided upon registration. Important: Many participants are becoming frustrated about not receiving the registration confirmation, access instructions, and recording information emails and finding later that those emails were in their spam folders. This is especially a problem if you have a gmail account. If you do not see these emails, you need to check your spam folder.
Acknowledgements and Accommodations
This program is made possible in part by funding from Washington State University and King Conservation District. Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.
Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact Grace Garrison at least two weeks prior to the event.
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