Participating small-acreage forests are on track to remove 3.5 million tons of CO2 equivalent and generate $54 million in payments to landowners 

Washington, D.C. – Today, the American Forest Foundation’s (AFF) Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP) reached 200,000 total acres enrolled, a major milestone in its mission to support family landowners, bolster rural economies, and deliver meaningful conservation impact. As part of FFCP, these 200,000 acres — greater than the land area of New York City — are set to remove 3.5 million tons of CO2 equivalent from the atmosphere and generate $54 million in landowner payments over the next 30 years, demonstrating the effectiveness of market- and nature-based solutions in tackling conservation and climate challenges our country and planet face.  

“FFCP was designed around the idea that family forest owners have a crucial role to play in conserving our nation’s forests and bolstering rural economies. The 200,000 acres we’ve enrolled make clear that we’re on the right path and making a real difference,” said Rita Hite, president and CEO of AFF. “It’s taken a village to get to this moment — from our partners on the ground who help connect us with landowners, to corporate buyers like REI and Netflix who saw the potential of FFCP and invested early in its future. I’m ecstatic that FFCP has hit 200,000 acres, and I look forward to celebrating 300,000 acres sooner than later.” 

Family-owned forests account for over a third of all forests in the United States, but those families often lack the resources to effectively care for their land. As visualized in this interactive map, these forests house wildlife habitats, vital watersheds, and sustainable timber practices that power rural economies. Launched in 2021 by AFF and The Nature Conservancy, FFCP was intentionally designed to unlock carbon market access for family forest owners, who are too often left on the sidelines of economic and conservation opportunities that could help them care for the health and productivity of their lands.  

“When I signed up for FFCP, I was paired with a knowledgeable forestry professional who developed a forest management plan specifically tailored to my land, which I’m able to implement thanks to the annual payments I receive,” said Susan Benedict, whose 230-acre forest in Pennsylvania was among the first to enroll in FFCP. “I love my land, and I want my children to inherit a forest full of healthy trees, rich soil, and abundant wildlife. FFCP is helping make that possible, and I urge fellow landowners to consider adding their forests to the program’s growing acreage.” 

FFCP is recognized globally for developing a rigorous carbon accounting methodology to measure and verify the additional carbon stored by the enrolled forests. The program is currently available for enrollment in 20 states throughout the U.S. Northeast, Appalachian, Midwest, and Southeast regions. To learn more, visit familyforestcarbon.org.  

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About The American Forest Foundation  

The American Forest Foundation is a national organization that empowers family forest owners to deliver meaningful conservation impact. The organization’s programs, the Family Forest Carbon Program and the American Tree Farm System, help landowners implement forest management practices to care for the health and productivity of their woodlands. To learn more about the American Forest Foundation and the Family Forest Carbon Program, visit www.forestfoundation.org.