ABOUT THE STUDY

Survey of Woodland Owner Views about Carbon Programs in Pennsylvania and Virginia

Study Goals

  • Investors are looking for ways to leverage private forests to mitigate climate change impacts. This may result in new opportunities for landowners to receive revenue, such as payments for managing for forest health and forest carbon.
  • Many owners are open to managing their forests for multiple purposes, but very little is understood about landowners views about carbon payment programs.
  • A team of researchers at Pennsylvania State University and Virginia Tech are conducting a survey study examining landowner choices about carbon payment programs and views about forest management and carbon offsets.

Why is this Important?

  • About 56% of forestland in the US is privately owned. As trees grow, they provide important ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration (pull carbon from the air) slowing down climate change.
  • Up to 12% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions have been offset each year due to voluntary or unintentional slowdowns in harvesting on public and private lands. Experts estimate that U.S. forests could help offset another 10% of U.S. emissions.
  • Working forests are also an important source of sustainable wood products. Up to 80% of U.S. domestic timber supply comes from private lands. Timber production in the United States accounts for approximately 4% of total gross domestic product ($200 billion).
  • The climate benefits provided by wood products (which store carbon and displace the use of other materials with a higher fossil fuels foot print) are also an important part of climate change solutions.

Where is the Study Located?

  • Participants in this study are woodland owners living in the commonwealths of Pennsylvania and Virginia, USA.
  • These states have established forest management practices for a variety of forest types, making them well-suited for addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation goals through forest management.

Study Sponsors and Partners

Penn State Extension, Virginia Cooperative Extension, FOCCE, Virginia Forestry Association, USDA National Institute for Food and Agricultural, National Science Foundation, US Endowment for Forests and Communities, James C. Finley Center for Private Forests, Allegany Hardwood Utilization Group,  Pennsylvania Forest Landowners Association, National Woodland Owners Association, Women Owning Woodlands

 

 

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