On June 18, 2007, Jack Stickney of Estill County, Kentucky became the first forest landowner to enroll in MACED’s carbon credit program. The program offers landowners an innovative yet practical way to earn revenue through the sale of carbon credits and selectively harvested wood products.

 

“Right away I thought it was a great idea, mainly to get people to manage their woodlands sustainably,” remarked Stickney who now has 100 acres enrolled in the program.

 

MACED is the only organization in Kentucky and the surrounding Central Appalachian region certified to represent landowners interested in selling carbon credits produced by their forests. Partnering with MACED will provide interested landowners access to this newly emerging market – a market that pays for carbon stored by trees.

 

MACED will calculate the amount of stored carbon and market it to buyers located throughout the nation. MACED will provide forestry consultation and educational outreach to all landowners enrolled in the program, as well as financial assistance to those who qualify.

 

In order to become enrolled, a landowner must have a stewardship plan, a forest inventory and forest certification, all of which must be performed by a professionally-trained, third-party forester. Forest landowners like Mr. Stickney see these requirements as benefits. “Criteria like the management plan and the forest inventory are basic, critical tools needed to understand woodlands and make good management decisions.”

 

“If there’s a chance MACED’s program will work I’m all about trying it,” said Mr. Stickney. “If it does work, it will mean more people managing their woodlands. More management means more woodlands to put people to work such as loggers and band saw operators. It also means better forests for wildlife, water and air quality.”

 

Landowners interested in learning more about MACED’s program are invited to call toll free 1-888-677-2373.

 

Check back soon for more information on the launch of this program.