The Nuts and Bolts of Carbon Sequestration Projects in Appalachian Forests

Goals

Learn: Explain the ‘why, how and when’ of developing a carbon project, including:

field demonstration of forest measurements for a carbon inventory;
how carbon sequestration value is measured,
what costs and commitments are involved, and the potential to integrate a carbon project with existing timber management practices as well as programs like the FSC, SFI and ATFS;
how to quickly assess a carbon project’s feasibility without a significant financial investment.

Share: Landowners and foresters can share their unique knowledge of Virginia (and nearby) forests, and how and where carbon projects will be most feasible.

Network: Enable landowners and foresters to build relationships and trust with other like-minded attendees. Establish rapport, get questions answered, and understand the level of interest and commitment toward selling carbon in Virginia (and nearby) forests.

Format and Audience
The workshop will be held over one full day, covering the basics of how Virginia (and nearby) landowners and foresters can design and implement successful carbon projects. The day begins with a classroom discussion of key aspects of selling carbon. In the afternoon, we go into the field to learn carbon inventory procedures and techniques. The workshop costs $25 and will be led by Dr. Kyle Holland CF of ecoPartners Carbon.

The audience for this workshop includes foresters, landowners and other interested stakeholders.

The workshop has applied for 6.0 hours of Society of American Foresters (SAF) CFE credits.

Agenda

8:30 AM Gather

9:00 AM Workshop Overview

Introduction to Carbon and California Offset Program

Describe goals and key messages of workshop

Introduce concept of carbon sequestration in forests

Describe key aspects of California offset program, and why it is a strong incentive for sustainable forest management

Process of developing a carbon project

Major requirements: Natural forest management, time commitmentMajor considerations for successful projects

10:00 AM Basics of Carbon Accounting

Project vs. baseline

How to design and carry out a carbon inventory

11:00 AM Common Practice

Baseline Model

Project vs. baseline in detail: how baseline is determined based on pre-project site conditions and the region's common practice

Baseline model in detail: purpose, data inputs, methods, outcomes

12:15 PM Frequently Asked Questions

12:45 PM Lunch

1:15 PM Travel to Field Inventory Site

2:00 PM Silvicultural Practices Under Carbon Management

Carbon Inventory Methods and Techniques

Describe and explain how timber stocks and other features change under a carbon management regime

Demonstrate carbon inventory methods and techniques (monumentation, tree measurements, major considerations and tricky areas) in a carbon plot

4:00 PM Questions and Answers

Feedback and Next Steps

4:30 PM End of Workshop