Crediting body Verra issues first improved forest management credits to Family Forest Carbon Program  

CONTACT: Kris Voorhees, Senior Director of Communications, media@forestfoundation.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Conservation organizations the American Forest Foundation (AFF) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) announced today the issuance of improved forest management (IFM) carbon credits to the Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP) from standards setter Verra under its Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program. This marks the first issuance of credits produced using Verra’s VM0045 improved forest management (IFM) methodology, which was co-developed by Verra, AFF, TNC, and TerraCarbon.  

“Now more than ever, family forests and their landowners play a critical role in improving the health and well-being of our lands and the planet,” said Rita Hite, president and CEO of the American Forest Foundation. “But to maximize their climate-mitigating potential, we need projects and a market that prioritizes quality, integrity, and accessibility. The issuance of FFCP’s first credits is a testament to AFF’s commitment to these principles, all while providing rural family forest owners the tools they need to keep their lands healthy and intact.” 

The credits issued under this methodology are also among the first IFM credits with the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market’s (IC-VCM) Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) label. This first issuance signifies FFCP’s commitment to quality and integrity and is a major step forward in raising the standard for forest-based carbon projects across the market.  

“This is a powerful example of how innovation and integrity can work hand-in-hand to unlock new opportunities for forest stewardship,” said Mandy Rambharos, CEO of Verra. “VM0045 not only meets the highest standards of climate rigor but also empowers rural landowners to participate in climate action in innovative, and impactful ways. We’re proud to see CCP-labeled credits being generated by a project that puts family forest owners at the center of the solution.” 

Using a matched dynamic baseline and aggregated data collection and analysis, FFCP and the VM0045 methodology are designed specifically for small-acreage landowners who historically have been locked out of the voluntary carbon market due to project complexity and high costs. This allows for these landowners, who own and manage the largest portion of America’s woodlands, to participate in the voluntary carbon market even if they only have 30 acres of land. Market access can provide an additional revenue stream for them to keep their forests healthy and intact for generations. 

“Carbon markets have the potential to deliver a triple benefit for the climate, biodiversity, and people when local communities take the lead," said Kevin Maddaford, Senior Corporate Engagement Advisor for Climate at The Nature Conservancy. "The issuance of these credits to the Family Forest Carbon Program shows how that potential can be brought to practice by collaborating with family forest owners and ensuring that the best available science underlies our efforts.” 

The success of the Family Forest Carbon Project sets a global example. VM0045 uses data from the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) database, which aggregates data on forests in the United States. However, the methodology is globally relevant, providing a framework for project developers in other countries to implement similar high-quality projects using similar datasets available at the country level.  

To learn more about the Family Forest Carbon Program, visit www.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.