Featured Projects

Northeast Wilderness Trust (NEWT), SIG Carbon, and the Inlandsis Fund have teamed up to create an exciting new forest carbon aggregation initiative called Wildlands Carbon. Land trusts across the northeastern United States are joining forces to protect wildlands and enroll in the voluntary carbon market. Northeast Wilderness Trust, the only regional land trust that focuses exclusively on rewilding through forever-wild conservation in the Northeast, is sponsoring this initiative. Forever-Wild protection is a prerequisite for enrollment; thus, every property that participates in the initiative today will become an ancient forest of the future.

Wildlands Carbon will provide the highest quality carbon offsets for organizations committed to both reducing and offsetting their carbon footprints. Every forest enrolled in Wildlands Carbon will be free to grow wilder and older without direct disturbance from human-powered activities. This will result in unparalleled benefits for carbon storage, climate resiliency, biodiversity, habitat, watersheds, and community well-being. To enroll, each land trust must be a 501c3 non-profit and accredited by the Land Trust Alliance. In addition to providing access to natural areas for their communities, these land trusts are also taking significant action to address the entwined climate and extinction crises through the permanent legal protection of these enrolled forests from logging or development.

This barrier-breaking initiative was initially conceived by NEWT as a market-based tool to support land trusts committed to protecting important forest blocks for climate resilience and wildlife connectivity as wilderness while also re-investing that carbon revenue into furthering new forest acquisition and conservation. SIG Carbon provided its expertise in forest carbon quantification and methodologies to model and develop the project for the voluntary carbon market.  The Inlandsis Fund, which has supported over 40 carbon projects in multiple carbon markets, provided essential capital to fund initial costs of the initiative. Land trusts will be receiving both a prepayment they can use toward additional conservation work and an on-going revenue share as credits are issued and sold.

“The carbon credits generated on these wildlands will directly contribute to the enrolled landowners’ ability to protect thousands of wild acres across New England and New York,” Sophie Ehrhardt, Wild Carbon Specialist at Northeast Wilderness Trust said. “These wildlands not only store immense amounts of carbon, they also offer myriad co-benefits for nature and people. The Northern Forest is the second most carbon-rich ecosystem in North America, and our hope is that carbon finance will provide the incentive for many local land trusts to add their efforts to the growing movement to rewild large parts of the region.” 

“SIG Carbon is  honored to develop Wildlands Carbon with NEWT, Inlandsis, and northeastern land trusts,” said Erin Alvey, a Research Scientist at SIG Carbon who has been with the project since its inception. “This initiative sets a high bar for credit quality and climate action authenticity.  The Forever-Wild conservation easements that permanently protect these forests even beyond the lifetime of the carbon offset project result in unparalleled carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and community benefits."

“Inlandsis is very pleased to invest in NEWT’s pioneering initiative to expand forest carbon opportunities to landowners that until now could not realistically benefit from carbon markets. It is our second project in a growing partnership with NEWT and also close to our headquarters in Montreal, ” said David Moffat, Managing Director at Inlandsis. “Wildlands Carbon is made possible by SIG’s carbon project development expertise. After launching our second fund in December, which is anchored by Fondaction Asset Management and Priori-T Capital, we are looking forward to deploying additional capital into projects throughout North America this year.”

All of the landowners taking part in this new venture are located in the Northeast region of the continental United States, but Wildlands Carbon could be the beginning of a complete shift in the carbon offsets market. Wildlands Carbon is the first forest carbon aggregation project for land trusts in the U.S. exclusively for properties that will be conserved with forever-wild conservation easements.

To purchase carbon offsets from the Wildlands Carbon initiative or to learn more about Inlandsis, please contact David Moffat, dmoffat@inlandsisfund.com or go to https://fondsinlandsis.com/en/home/

Land trusts seeking information on enrolling in Wildlands Carbon should contact: Sophie Ehrhardt,  sophie@newildernesstrust.org

To learn more about Northeast Wilderness Trust and rewilding, please visit https://newildernesstrust.org/

For information on forest carbon aggregation or their project development services, please contact carbon@sig-gis.com at SIG Carbon or got to www.sigcarbon.com

Eagle Ledge at Woodbury Mountain Wilderness Preserve in Vermont.

Credit: Jerry Monkman/Ecophotography

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Type: Land Trusts

Location: Northeastern United States

Standard: Carbon reduction and offsets, forest conservation

Client Type: Land Trust
Status: Verification
Acreage: 21,000
Standard: Voluntary Market - American Carbon Registry, Improved Forest Management
Location: Washington

As part of the Washington Rainforest Renewal Project, our client is working to restore and preserve coastal rainforest forests in Washington State by acquiring lands in coastal watersheds for restoration and carbon sequestration. The forest stands in these watersheds are highly simplified and degraded following more than a century of industrial forest management with clear-cut rotations that have damaged streams and nearly eliminated old-growth forests. Restoration activities are designed to regrow and accelerate the development of mature and old-growth forests to provide fish and wildlife habitat while also sequestering carbon. A portion of the lands are managed using an experimental adaptive management approach designed to learn about the tradeoffs between passive versus active restoration for accelerating old forest development, restoring ecological functions, and sequestering carbon.

In order to support conservation and restoration activities, the client entered the carbon market. SIG Carbon was selected to provide full project development services. All credits generated from the project will be from annual carbon removal. Funds from the project will be used to restore old growth forest on lands previously managed for industrial timber harvesting. They will also help improve conditions for endangered salmon species, provide old growth habitat for multiple threatened and endangered species, and fund the acquisition of new timber parcels for future carbon offset projects.

Type: Private Landowner
Status: ~1 Million+ California compliance credits issued
Location: Michigan
Standard: Improved Forest Management, CA Compliance Market
‍Acreage: 19,714

This Michigan-based private landowner's property includes eight lakes and four fishable streams. While  the area contains a diversity of forest types and species, 77% are Hemlock-Northern Hardwoods or Northern Hardwoods. Their property also contains rare old growth forest, which the landowner is committed to protecting, both for scientific study, and for enjoyment by future generations. 
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Upon entering the California compliance carbon market, the landowner made a 100-year commitment to implement natural forest management practices. They seek to improve the health of their forest and increase carbon stocks in all three carbon pools (above and below ground standing portions of live trees, and the standing portion of dead trees). SIG Carbon provided inventory design, quantification, carbon modeling, verification support services, and ongoing monitoring and reporting. Funds will be used for habitat improvement on the property and to protect ecological ecosystems in the Upper Peninsula.

Client Type: Private Landowner (University)
Status: Project Development
Acreage: ~19,000
Standard: Improved Forest Management, California Compliance Market
Location: Montana

Lubrecht Experimental Forest is an approximately 19,000 acre forest located 30 miles northeast of Missoula, Montana in the Blackfoot River drainage. The Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, at the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, owns and manages the property for timber harvest, research, and educational purposes. While University of Montana students and faculty use the Lubrecht Experimental Forest for study and research, members of the public also use the forest for recreation, conferences, weddings, and other special events.

In order to support long-term sustainable forestry and fire management practices, the Lubrecht Experimental Forest entered the carbon market. SIG Carbon was selected to provide full project development services for an Improved Forest Management offset project.

Partners: Blue Source
Client Type: Municipality
Status: Credits Issued
Acreage: 22,000
Standard: Voluntary Market, Improved Forest Management
Location: Pennsylvania

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The Bethlehem Authority’s forestlands contain both the Wild Creek and Tunkhannock Creek Watersheds, which serve as the primary and secondary drinking water supply for over 115,000 customers. Additionally, The Pocono mesic till barrens, which contain the greatest concentration of globally rare plant and animal species of any terrestrial ecosystem in Pennsylvania, dominate several thousand acres of Authority property. 

In order to obtain funds to maintain the quality of the watershed, and continue supplying the highest quality drinking water, The Authority entered the carbon market. The Bethlehem Authority project was the first project to be verified under the Verified Carbon Standard’s Improved Forest Management (IFM) protocol. At 22,000 acres protected, the agreement was also the largest private conservation project ever in Pennsylvania at the time of signing. 

SIG carried out inventory, design, growth and yield modeling and carbon quantification for 17,000 acres of forestland. In conjunction with the carbon project, a conservation easement was placed on the land which ensures that the properties will be retained in their natural and forested condition, free of additional forest fragmentation or additional development. Rare plants will also be protected. The Authority has received credits for revenue totaling over $1,204,000 from Chevy Corp. and Disney Corp., and has a commitment from Disney to buy carbon credits through 2021.

Partners: Indian Land Tenure Foundation 
Client Type: Tribe
Status: Project Development 
Acreage: 12,500
Standard: Voluntary Market, Improved Forest Management

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The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Approximately 3,600 tribal members strong, their land contains both the L'Anse and Ontonagon Indian Reservations. The L'Anse Indian Reservation consists of approximately 59,000 acres, including 19 miles of Lake Superior shoreline, 3,000 acres of wetlands, and 80 miles of rivers within five watersheds. 

In August 2020, the Community decided to move forward with a carbon development project, enrolling 12,500 acres of tribal forestland, to complement the Tribe’s sustainable timber management efforts. SIG Carbon was selected to provide full project development services, including inventory, design, statistical guidance, quantification and modeling services related to the development of carbon credits. Ongoing carbon storage will also be regularly monitored through forest inventories. The project is being developed as part of the Tribal Land Conservation Initiative and funds are expected to be used to meet the Community’s environmental vision, which includes: maintaining the pristine waters of Lake Superior, ensuring The tribe has a long-term land use plan, and can implement sustainable management practices on their tribal homelands. 

Client Type: Tribal 
Status: Project Development 
Acreage: 9,197
Standard: Voluntary Market, Improved Forest Management
Location: Minnesota

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The Fond du Lac Band is one of six Chippewa Indian Bands that make up the Minnesota Chippewa (Ojibwe) Tribe. Today, the Band includes over 4,200 members. The Band stewards approximately 100,000 acres of land, with over 40% of their landholdings encompassing wetlands. To promote responsible stewardship of their vast landholdings, The Band focuses on both honoring indigenous practices and leveraging new, innovative ideas to improve air and water quality, evaluate alternative energy sources, and protect wetlands.

In 2007, the Band committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 20%, signing on to be part of the Kyoto Protocol. As part of its commitment, in July 2020, The Band decided to enter the carbon market, enrolling 9,197 acres of forest land into the Tribal Working Woodland Program. SIG Carbon will provide full project development services, including ongoing monitoring, reporting and verification post initial credit sale. The project extends over 40 years, and is expected to deliver several million dollars of revenue to the Band. Read about additional innovative actions being made by the Chippewa to reach their goal of net zero carbon emissions.

Client Type: Municipality/Public Lands
Status: Credits Issued
Acreage: 5,200
Standard: Voluntary Market, Improved Forest Management
Location: Pennsylvania

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The Lock Haven City Authority’s land is located in Pennsylvania’s Central Appalachian Mountains and contains oak stands, including a dominance of Chestnut Oak. The Authority maintains dams and reservoirs that feed water services for city properties. Protecting and improving the watersheds on their property, as well as promoting ecosystem health, resilience and diversity, were stated long-term goals for the organization.

The Authority entered the carbon market, which connects landowners to revenue in exchange for a commitment to practice sustainable forestry. At 5,200 acres, the project conserves a large swath of contiguous forest, and will protect a watershed that provides drinking water to both Lock Haven and the surrounding municipalities. The SIG Carbon team was brought in to provide growth and yield modeling and to help establish a conservation easement. 

The Lock Haven project is expected to generate 500 million forest carbon offsets over its planned life, providing the Authority with the funds it needs to improve stewardship over the property, and ensure sustainable management of forests and infrastructure. To date, conservation efforts connected with the project have enabled active forest management, preserve high quality drinking water through maintenance and improvement of the watershed, promoting ecosystem health and diversity, and continuing to provide access to the public.

Partners: Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy; City of Albany Water Department
Client Type: Municipality/Public Land
Status: Credits Issued
Acreage: 4,439
Standard: Voluntary, Improved Forest Management
Location: New York

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Albany Water Board’s property is one of the largest preserved tracts of land in Albany County. Within the property is the Alcove Reservoir and the Basic Creek reservoir, as well as the surrounding forest that protects it and actively filters water before it reaches the City’s reservoirs.  

Rather than generating revenue through real estate deals or extensive timber sales, the Water Board entered the carbon market. The program connects landowners to revenue on the carbon market in exchange for a commitment to practice sustainable forestry. SIG Carbon provided inventory, design, statistical guidance, and carbon quantification and modeling services related to the development of carbon credits. Additionally, the Water Board entered into a conservation easement with the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy, which keeps the landscape intact, and permanently protects 6,400 acres of land and water, including both reservoirs. 

This first-of-its-kind project for a reservoir buffer, brought together partners from the public, private and government sectors, to find an economic solution for an environmental problem. Most importantly, the Water Board is able to use revenues for projects dedicated to the preservation and protection of the watershed, ensuring clean water for Albany residents and improving forest health. 

Client Type: Private Landowner 
Status: Credits Issued
Acreage: 1,281
Standard: Voluntary Market, Improved Forest Management
Location: Pennsylvania

With more than 1,300 acres of forestland in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, the Hiawatha Hunting & Fishing Club has been utilized by a community of outdoor enthusiasts for more than 100 years. The Club’s land is part of a large, contiguous forest along the Delaware River, and serves as the source of drinking water for 15 million people on the East Coast.

According to a case study written on this project, the Club’s forests were increasingly at risk due to a variety of factors - the Club is located on desirable land in Pennsylvania, and the aging landowner base received frequent development offers. In order to prevent development and fragmentation of these forests, its opted to generate revenue on carbon market. During the 40-year life of the carbon project, the Club has committed to managing their forest sustainably. Through the help of SIG Carbon, storage is monitored and forest inventories conducted, and timber harvesting is allowed as long as carbon levels are maintained. Through the use of carbon credits, The Club has ensured clean water for residents downstream and added a permanent conservation easement to the property, preserving their land in perpetuity.

Partners: California Department of Parks and Recreation, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, San Diego State University; University of California, Santa Barbara
Client Type: Public Lands
Status: Credits Issued
Acreage: 2,500
Standard: CAR Early Action, Reforestation
Location: California

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Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is located 50 miles east of San Diego on Highway 79 in California. The park consists of 25,000 acres located within the Peninsular Range of mountains with elevations that range from 3,500 to 6,500 feet. In 2003, nearly 95% of the forestland in the park (over 24,000 acres) was destroyed by the Cedar Fire. While Park Officials waited several years, it was believed that the park would not regenerate on its own, and would require a reforesting effort.

Under the new protocols, public lands such as Cuyamaca Rancho State Park were eligible to receive funding through the emerging carbon market. The Cuyamaca reforestation project was the first of its kind to be approved for funding. Through credits purchased by Disney, ConocoPhillips, and others in the private sector, Park foresters were able to reforest 2,500 acres of the park’s landscape with native conifer trees. SIG Carbon provided project development services on this unique project. Through reforestation efforts, the park is being regeneration, erosion risk has been reduced, and the recreational capacity of the park is being restored for 400,000 annual visitors.

Client: Northeast Wilderness Trust 
Client Type: Land Trust 
Partners: New Forests/Forest Carbon Partners, University of Vermont 
Status: Credits Issued
Acreage: 1,461
Standard: CA Compliance Market, Improved Forest Management
Location: Maine

The Alder Stream Wilderness Preserve carbon project added to, and helps sustain, a growing block of protected forest in Maine that now conserves a total of ~20,000 acres. It contains American chestnut trees, one of the largest and intact freshwater wetland systems in the state, and an Atlantic salmon habitat. Embedded within the Alder Preserve is an area designated by the state for studying species at risk, as well as a large area identified as high priority due to its unfragmented, high quality forest and wetland characteristics. The Piscataquis River, an important river for Atlantic salmon recovery, is also part of the preserve. 

The area is at risk of fragmentation of the forest through subdivision, and also the potential loss of availability for use by the public. In order to support conservation efforts, Northeast Wilderness entered the carbon market. SIG Carbon and partners provided feasibility and project development services for this test-project which affirmed the viability of California’s cap-and-trade program. We also entered the project into the “Early Action Program,” which allowed credits from the voluntary market to be transitioned into compliance offset credits. Among other uses, funds from the carbon offset project helped permanently protect the Piscataquis River property, considered vital to the ecological health of the watershed. Issuing ~30,000 offset credits through 2020, the project has helped ensure that the watershed’s woods and wetlands remain protected, wildlife habitat is preserved, and the Preserve remains accessible to the public.

Client: Northeast Land Trust 
Client Type: Land Trust 
Partners: New Forests/Forest Carbon Partners, University of Vermont 
Status: Credits Issued
Acreage: 547
Standard: CA Compliance Market, Improved Forest Management
Location: Maine

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Howland Research Forest is considered one of the ‘wildest’ forests in the country. It contains old-growth spruce and hemlock, is home to moose, black bear, bobcat and bald eagles. It has also been an important resource for scientists. Established as a resource site in the late 1980s, the Forest has provided valuable insight into how carbon is stored in forests and the resulting impact on the environment. With Howland Research Forest as a reference point, scientists have developed the second longest collection of carbon data, and one of the longest records of carbon intake and output in the world. 

In 2004, however, Howland Forest was purchased by a timber investor and was scheduled to be logged. The Northeast Wilderness Trust, with the support of conservation partners, raised the necessary money to purchase the forest. To support continued conservation efforts, the Northeast Wilderness Trust enrolled Howland as a carbon project, first as a Climate Action Reserve Early Action project towards the dawn of the carbon offset market, then transitioning the project to the CA compliance Improved Forest Management project when the market matured. SIG Carbon supported project development services, and continues to serve as Project Manager. To date, ~46,000 offset credits were issued through 2020. Funds from the credit issuance ensure the old growth forest will be conserved in perpetuity, and guarantees that valuable research can continue.