Seven Kentucky Landowners Get Paid $65,000 for Managing their Forests

appalachian carbon partnership launched

December 3, 2009

BEREA, KY. — The Appalachian Carbon Partnership (ACP) is now ready to serve private forest landowners by linking them to the managed forest carbon offsets market. ACP provides landowners with resources and practical information on good forest management, as well as access to loans to cover the costs of professional forestry services related to enrollment.

The ACP is made up of three organizations, the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED) in Kentucky, Rural Action in Ohio and Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) in Virginia. A new website www.appalachiancarbonpartnership.org provides information about new income options through carbon offset payments, financial assistance and technical support.

“We're excited to bring the opportunity to Ohio landowners. We see the Appalachian Carbon Partnership as a great strategy to transfer wealth into Central Appalachia by paying landowners to maintain and improve their forests,” said Michelle Decker, Executive Director of Rural Action. “Carbon offsets provide a major incentive to get hundreds of thousands of small, privately held acres into management plans, something landowners need and want but sometimes do not do because it can be expensive.”

Income from carbon offsets rewards forest owners for adopting certified sustainable forest management practices. Once adopted through the carbon offsets program, sustainable forest management practices benefit the land, air, water and wildlife that make Appalachian communities attractive, healthy places to live.

“This partnership can bring in money for Appalachian landowners and encourages good management,” said Justin Maxson, MACED’s president. “We are excited about expanding this opportunity to increase the long-term value of timber, while also protecting and restoring the environment.”

About the Partners

MACED creates economic alternatives that work for low-income people and natural places. Visit www.maced.org. Rural Action is a sustainable development organization that has worked since 1991 to foster social, economic, and environmental justice in Appalachian Ohio. Visit www.ruralaction.org. Appalachian Sustainable Development develops healthy, diverse and ecologically sound economic opportunities through education and training, and the development of cooperative networks and marketing systems. Visit www.asdevelop.org.