Forest Carbon Credits

forest carbon credits

Enrollment is open to private forest landowners in the Appalachian region of Kentucky. Forestland outside this region will be considered on a case by case basis. Forest landowners owning 40 acres or more are encouraged to apply.

The application process begins when a forest landowner contacts the MACED office and requests an Application Packet. This packet contains detailed information about the program, information for completing the enrollment requirements and an Application Form. We also include a copy of the Kentucky Forest Landowner's Handbook for all interested landowners.

Applying is easy. To apply, a landowner fills in and returns the one page Application Form that comes in the application packet. This form serves as a landowner's place holder for enrolling in the program. After applying the landowner proceeds to complete the four enrollment requirements listed below.

Four requirements must be met in order to enroll. Enrollment is the final step that makes a landowner eligible for carbon credit payments. These requirements acknowledge a commitment to sustainable forestry and document an intent to maintain the enrolled land in forest cover. Landowners may apply before these requirements are completed, but enrollment will not occur until all requirements are met.

1. A Stewardship Plan must be in place. This is available free of charge through the Kentucky Division of Forestry. To have your property designated as a Stewardship Forest contact your local state forester. Click here to find a forester in your district.
2. Forest Certification is required, unless a conservation easement is in place. Certification through the American Tree Farm program is provided free of charge through the Kentucky Division of Forestry. Certification by the Forest Stewardship Council is also acceptable, but is not free of charge.
3. A forest inventory must be completed by a consulting forester. Dependent on the amount of acreage involved, a landowner could reasonably expect to pay $5 – $10 per acre for their forest inventory, however this will need to be assessed by your consulting forester. MACED provides loans to cover the cost of the inventory.
4. Landowners must sign a contract agreeing to abide by the program's rules. This contract, and more information about the program are available by contacting MACED's forestry staff.

Click here for a glossary which defines some terms used in the contract.

Based on the June 2007 Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) market price, a forest landowner could expect to receive $4.00 – $5.00 per acre per year dependent on the average age of their trees and the overall condition of their property.

For every forest property enrolled in its program, MACED will:

• measure its change in wood volume over time;

• convert its wood volume to volume of carbon credits;

• and sell the credits based on their value in the marketplace.

In exchange for providing its services, MACED will deduct a management fee from each landowner's gross carbon payment.

Be the first in your community to join this newly emerging market!

Contact MACED at 1-888-677-2373 or email forestry@maced.org.