Stories from the Wabanaki forest of the Maritimes, the Spice Forests of Zanzibar, and the mangrove forests of Mozambique.
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Learn MoreNot all carbon offsets are created equal. Our carbon offsets project not only drawdown vast amounts of carbon emissions, but they also preserve endangered forest ecosystems and have the potential to create new economic opportunities for rural communities.
For over a decade, Community Forests International has created natural climate solutions that preserve endangered forest ecosystems while creating regenerative economic opportunities for rural communities. One of our most successful innovations has been building forest carbon projects to conserve mature Wabanaki forests.
Since day one, we’ve known that in order for forests to thrive, so too must the people who live and work most closely with these special forests. By ensuring that family forest owners can benefit financially from the long-term protection and restoration of their forests, we can ensure these forests protect our shared climate and be enjoyed for generations to come.
A year ago, we were proud to announce the launch of the first forest carbon pilot project in the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The pilot project, implemented by NCX in collaboration with Community Forests International, brought together over 60 private landowners who committed to sequester carbon by deferring timber harvests on their forestland. In total, this project encompassed over 65,000 forested acres in the Wabanaki forest.
There are more than 80,000 family forests across the Maritimes, and protecting these family forests could make a globally significant contribution to climate change mitigation. Community Forests International is working to make the carbon market accessible to private woodlot owners in the region to share the financial benefits of forest protection with rural communities.
We believe we can help bring a valuable source of income to landowners who treat their standing timber as a long-term investment, yet face intense pressure from the logging industry to clearcut, even if timber is before its prime. In addition to sequestering carbon on the landscape, carbon offsets and similar programmes have the potential to deliver climate finance and resilience for Maritime communities and beyond.
We work in partnership with invested companies and organizations to create opportunities that store carbon, preserve forest ecosystems, and create regenerative economic opportunities for rural communities.
If you are an organization interested in supporting Canadian carbon credits, you can do so by contacting Community Forests’ Program Director, Zach.
Unlike other forest types in Canada, the Wabanaki Forest benefits from a moist climate with a historically low risk of fire, making it a highly stable forest type in which to store carbon. A Forest Carbon Management Plan is developed for each forest that allows preventive management interventions that help to avoid potentially catastrophic situations.
Community Forests International follows strict procedures for quantifying and protecting the carbon stored in healthy forests, upholding a combination of world-class verification standards; however, our projects to date have been too small to verify due to the cost associated with it. We are happy to explore the option of verification with potential partners.
Community Forests International uses proactive forest management to improve the security of the carbon stored within our forests. Generally, this means managing the forest for greater diversity in the ages of its trees, its species mix, and in its physical structures.
At present, we can only sell carbon offsets to organizations and groups that meet a minimum project size. However, when you make a donation to Community Forests International, your gift supports our forest protection and restoration efforts.
How do you measure the true value of a forest? Enter Robinson Conservation Forest, a naturally diverse Wabanaki forest in the Wolastoq watershed in central New Brunswick, on the east coast of Turtle Island. This special forest and the people connected to it push us to see beyond the timber value of a forest—to see the forest beyond the trees. From carbon storage to flood mitigation to family connections and cultural traditions, forests like this are vital to the identity and well-being of our communities.
The current pilot program has ended as of May 31, 2023 and, although a notable success for those involved, current market conditions mean the program will not currently continue. However, Community Forests will continue to look for opportunities for landowners and forest caretakers.
While you continue to evaluate emerging opportunities, there are several things that you can do right now to best position yourself and your forest. Here are just 5 ways you can start getting your forest ready for carbon and other ecosystem-service markets.
Since creating the east coast’s first forest carbon project in 2012, we have been able to preserve over 1,260 acres of intact Wabanaki forest by partnering with businesses and organizations. Get to know some of our forest conservation areas!
This special 350-acre forest near Cambridge-Narrows is one of the last of its kind in New Brunswick. The Robinson family managed this beautiful forest for generations and carbon offsets have allowed us to preserve their legacy of careful stewardship for years to come. In 2021, we successfully expanded the protected forest area with an additional 140-acres of young forest that will be restored for long-term climate benefits.
Located near Fundy National Park, Whaelghinbran Forest belonged to farmers Clark Phillips and Susan Tyler. When they could no longer work the land and needed to sell their property to retire, the couple reached out to us and we were able to purchase the property from the sale of carbon offsets and protect their cherished forest lands.
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Waterford Forest is a 115-acre property in New Brunswick. The forest was donated to Community Forests International by Elizabeth Lucas, and it belonged to her family since 1855. The unique ecological features of the property include tolerant hardwood stands and an old spruce forest, as well as an impressive rock cliff face.
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Ferndale Forest is 105-acres of hardwood forest located in the steep hills of Ferndale, in southern New Brunswick. The forest was purchased by Community Forests International from the previous family forest owners. This property is home to many sugar maples — plus one of the biggest balsam firs we’ve ever seen!
Located along in our hometown of Sackville, New Brunswick, this 50-acre forest is full of beautiful hardwood stands and is part of a system of beloved cross-country and hiking trails. Community Forests International purchased this property in early 2021 for long-term community and climate benefits.
