Garcia River Forest: A New Future in Carbon

In 2004, the 23,780-acre Garcia River Forest became California’s first large nonprofit-owned working forest, and in February 2008 became one of the first forests – and the largest – to receive verification of its carbon offsets by the California Climate Action Registry. This certification recognizes forests’ new role in environmental protection. These towering stands of trees are not just housing wildlife and beckoning travelers – they are also trapping carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas linked to climate change.

“With credible measurement systems and sustainable management techniques forests are positioned to play an increasingly vital role in the challenge of curbing climate change."

- Mary Nichols, Chair, California Air Resources Board

Summary

Garcia River Forest comprises one third of the watershed of Garcia River and contains a magnificent expanse of redwoods and Douglas firs. The redwood forest type that dominates Garcia River is remarkably resilient and productive: redwood trees sprout from stumps, there are few pests or diseases and the forest can produce lumber that is uniquely beautiful, durable and valuable. Garcia River is recognized by the California Department of Fish and Game as a high priority for protection and recovery of the state- and federal-listed coho salmon and steelhead trout. The property also supports Northern spotted owl and numerous other rare plants and animals.

Redwood forests store more carbon per acre than any other forest type on earth. Sustainable forest management of this forest enables the storage of more than 77,000 tons of carbon emissions annually, which is the equivalent of taking more than 51,700 cars off the road every year.

Challenge

Like most large timbered properties in the region and the country, Garcia River Forest was owned by a succession of timber companies. This history of intensive industrial timber management left a legacy of depleted inventories of merchantable timber, a network of fragile roads on steep slopes of eroding soils and miles of spawning habitat for salmon and steelhead clogged with sediments.

Garcia River Forest could only generate a modest amount of timber income over the next few decades. However, The Conservation Fund felt that, with supplemental income from carbon credit sales, there might be enough revenue to sustain a not-for-profit owner that could reduce expenses and raise public and philanthropic funds to support the management necessary to rebuild commercial timber inventories, upgrade roads and restore stream conditions.

Solution

In 2004 the Fund led a partnership with the California Coastal Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy and Wildlife Conservation Board to purchase the Garcia River Forest from Coastal Forestlands, Ltd. In 2007 the California Air Resources Board (CARB) formally adopted the rigorous California Climate Action Registry protocols for forestry, thus establishing a clear role for forestry in the state’s climate policy and adding economic value to forest carbon projects.

Results

The purchase of Garcia River Forest in 2004 established the first large nonprofit-owned working forest in California. Today, The Conservation Fund owns and sustainably manages this working forest. The Nature Conservancy owns a conservation easement on the property, ensuring protection, regardless of ownership, that makes carbon offset verification possible. Conservancy scientists helped develop the forest’s management plan and today conduct forest-carbon research and monitor biodiversity conservation on the property. Keeping the land in production will generate revenue to support ongoing forest and stream restoration work and preserve jobs within the community.

In February 2008, the Garcia River Forest became one of the first forests – and the largest – to receive verification of its carbon offsets by the California Climate Action Registry. By achieving the Registry’s high standard of carbon verification, Garcia River Forest is poised to offer the most reliable and valid carbon credits in the country to private companies and public organizations seeking to offset their greenhouse gas emissions. The Conservation Fund is already negotiating several major purchases of verifiable carbon credits to buyers interested in offsetting their manufacturing and business practices or banking the credits for regulated markets.

In addition to fighting climate change, these forests will continue to protect water quality, restore wildlife habitat and enhance opportunities for public recreation for current and future generations.