Family Forest Blog
September 5, 2025
What is the Permanence Trust? A Look at a New Solution for Nature
The American Forest Foundation has created an innovative new approach that aims to fill all the core functionalities necessary for permanence: The Permanence Trust. This approach frames non-permanence as a risk to be managed, strengthens market-wide definitions and risk management strategies, and provides a framework that allows NCS credits and other carbon credit types (like geologic storage) to be managed together, increasing overall market confidence and credibility.
September 4, 2025
Nature is Worth Investing In: Breakthroughs in the Voluntary Carbon Market
As we head into Climate Week, it’s worth pausing to take stock of how far the voluntary carbon market (VCM) has come. For years, this space has been scrutinized, challenged, and even questioned—but over the past few years we’ve seen positive breakthrough after breakthrough, which shows just how much progress has been made.
August 28, 2025
Why Our Contracts Are 20 Years—and Why That Matters
When it comes to forest carbon programs, contract length isn’t just a formality. It’s the backbone of credibility, integrity, and real climate impact. At the Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP), we’ve designed our contracts to be a 20-year commitment, and there are important reasons why that length matters and why it can’t be changed.
August 13, 2025
First Improved Forest Management Methodology Designed for Family Forests Recognized by Global Body for High Integrity
Today, The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (IC-VCM) recognized the Verra Methodology for Improved Forest Management (IFM) Using Dynamic Matched Baselines (VM0045) with the globally-recognized Core Carbon Principles (CCP) label.
August 7, 2025
Forester Spotlight: Baylor Wayman
We’re excited to highlight Baylor Wayman, a dedicated forester with the Family Forest Carbon Program who brings hands-on experience, a deep connection to the land, and a passion for supporting sustainable forestry.
July 29, 2025
What to Expect from Your Forest Management Plan
Did you know that only about 11% of forest owners have a Forest Management Plan? Programs like the Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP) are helping change that—making it easier for families to care for their land with confidence. By supporting more landowners in creating these plans, we’re growing a more connected community of people who are committed to the health of their woods—and the future of our forests.
July 1, 2025
Forester Spotlight: Sarah Cawood
We’re excited to highlight Sarah Cawood, a dedicated forester with the Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP) who brings enthusiasm, experience, and a strong commitment to conservation to her work.
June 3, 2025
Why Wildlife Loves Loblolly—And How These Pines Can Benefit Your Land
A quiet stretch of pine trees can offer more than just scenery—it can provide vital habitat for wildlife across every season. Loblolly pine, the most common native tree species in the Southeast, plays a particularly important role in creating habitat for a wide variety of game and non-game species, from wild turkeys and rabbits to songbirds and squirrels.
May 28, 2025
New Report Details Innovative Approach to Permanence for Natural Climate Solutions
The American Forest Foundation released today “A Trust for Permanence: Enabling a New Generation of Permanent Nature-Based Credits in the Voluntary Carbon Market,” a new concept paper that details an innovative approach to ensuring the quality and integrity of credits produced through natural climate solutions (NCS).
May 20, 2025
In Historic First, Program Enrolls 1,000 Family Landowners in New Market Opportunity
The American Forest Foundation announced today that their Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP) has reached a critical milestone, enrolling 1,000 landowners, who now have access to income through the voluntary carbon market. This is the first and only forest carbon program to enroll these many small-acreage landowners in the nation.
May 6, 2025
New Report: Forest Carbon Projects Model the Path Forward for High-Integrity Voluntary Carbon Market
Revitalizing Carbon Markets from the Roots Up, predicts that prioritizing and investing in high-integrity projects could enable forests to sequester up to 300 million additional tonnes of carbon by 2030, unlocking even more supply for a demand-heavy market, while also delivering economic opportunities and conservation benefits. This becomes even more significant in a landscape where corporations are increasingly seeking solutions to mitigate climate-related risks in their operations and reach their own net zero goals.
April 7, 2025
Forester Spotlight: Mac MacKenzie
We’re excited to spotlight Mac MacKenzie, a dedicated forester with the Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP) who is passionate about sustainable forestry and conservation.
March 25, 2025
Goats, Trees, & Community: the Power of Family Forests
The Family Forest Carbon Program has connected Monica with a forester who helps her navigate how to use her land more sustainably. Landowners often fear that enrolling in a carbon projects limits the way they can use their land, but Monica is proof that a property enrolled in FFCP can be just as versatile as any other.
January 3, 2025
A Forest Full of Surprises
A hidden wildflower field, butterflies dancing among the ironweed, and beavers hard at work building their new home. Pennsylvania landowner Kathy McClure’s property is full of small surprises that come together to create a magical place for her family.
December 11, 2024
AFF Awarded $5 Million to Support Family Forest Owners
The American Forest Foundation (AFF) announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service has awarded the organization $5 million of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds through its Forest Landowner Support (FLS) program.