Forest Carbon Offsets
We need healthy forests now, more than ever.
Not all carbon offsets are created equal. Our carbon offsets project not only drawdown vast amounts of carbon emissions, they also preserve endangered forest ecosystems and have the potential to create new economic opportunities for rural communities.
Community Forests International follows strict procedures for quantifying and protecting the carbon stored in healthy forests, upholding a combination of world class verification standards. Additionally, Community Forests International employs conservation easements, which are legal tools used to ensure that forests are protected from clearcutting and other unsustainable practices in perpetuity.
We’re lucky to work with a very special forest type—the Acadian forest. The natural Acadian forest has very low risk of fire, making it one of the best forest types in Canada to store carbon. This forest type is one of the most diverse temperate forests in the world, but it is also one of the most endangered. More than 170 thousand acres of Acadian forest is destroyed every year by clear-cutting and only 5% now remains in pre-colonial condition.
Robinson Conservation Forest
This special 350-acre forest near Cambridge-Narrows is one of the last of its kind in New Brunswick. The Robinson family has managed this beautiful forest for generations—carbon offsets have allowed us to preserve their legacy of careful stewardship for years to come.
Whaelghinbran Forest
Located near Fundy National Park, this magnificent 705-acre forest belonged to farmers Clark Phillips and Susan Tyler. Advanced in their years, they could no longer work the land and needed to sell their property to retire. By creating carbon offsets, we were able to purchase the property and protect their cherished forest lands.
Publications
Community Forests International has created a variety tools and resources related to forest carbon offset project development to ensure that rural communities and surrounding forests are well-positioned to benefit from the emerging carbon markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a carbon offset?
Carbon offsets are created when individuals or organizations take an action that results in the sequestration or the prevention of carbon dioxide or another greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere.
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Can I offset my personal carbon footprint with Community Forests International?
At present, we can only sell carbon offsets to individuals and organizations with large carbon footprints. However, when you make a donation to Community Forests International, your gift supports our forest protection and restoration efforts.
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How does Community Forests International manage these forests?
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.
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Are there natural risks associated with forests carbon offsets?
Unlike other forest types in Canada, the Acadian 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.