Is FFCP Right For You? Part 2: You Need Forestry Guidance
This blog post is part of a four-part series called, “Is the Family Forest Carbon Program Right for You?” Scroll to the bottom of this article for links to the others in this series.
Landowners often want to do what’s best for their land, but may not have the expertise or resources to take action. In this article, we’ll explore how the Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP) provides the technical support you need to care for your woodland—with a long-term plan to help you avoid overwhelm and stay on track.
Guidance From a Professional Forester
Forestry is both an art and a science. A forester understands the complex layers of your forest and helps you find the best ways to meet your goals while working with what the land can naturally support. Whether you want to earn income from timber, protect wildlife, tackle invasive species, enhance recreational use, or improve the look of your land, a forester can help you get more from your land while avoiding costly mistakes.
If you’re in need of a forester, we will connect you with a trusted professional in your area who will become a valuable resource to you throughout the program. If you are already working with a forester, they can become an FFCP-approved forester by visiting our website and signing up with us.
Our skilled team of staff and consulting foresters are also familiar with state laws, tax programs, and local forest products markets. They can advise whether FFCP is compatible with any existing commitments you may have, such as conservation easements.
Want to learn more? Get started by checking your eligibility for FFCP online today.Free Forest Management Plan
A written forest management plan (FMP) is both a requirement for the Family Forest Carbon Program, as well as a benefit of enrollment. A good plan will include:
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Forest inventory
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Identification of key habitats
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Clear description of your objectives and strategy for achieving them
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Near-term action plan
Forest management plans can range from hundreds of dollars for a basic plan for a small woodland, to thousands of dollars for a more robust or large-acreage plan. When you enroll in FFCP you’ll receive an FMP written by one of our foresters free of charge, or a stipend to help cover the cost of a third-party plan. If you already have an existing FMP, we’ll work with you to update it as needed.
Flexible Management Options
A common belief about carbon programs is that you cannot do any harvesting during the enrollment period, or even after the contract period ends. While this is true for many other forest carbon programs, this is not the case for the Family Forest Carbon Program. While harvesting is not required, the option to harvest without financial penalty sets FFCP apart from other similar forest carbon programs.
The management practices recommended by FFCP are all designed with sustainable management in mind. In other words, activities such as invasive species removal, cutting personal firewood, and even harvesting (provided it is done sustainably and within some guidelines) are acceptable within most of our forest management practices. You can read about the management restrictions that would apply to your land on our How It Works page under “Practice Overviews.”
Finally, FFCP is generally compatible with existing commitments you might have on your land, like state tax programs, conservation easements, and other non-timber revenue streams like hunting leases and maple tapping. Our team can help you confirm your eligibility and work with you to ensure your management plan satisfies the requirements for both FFCP and any other programs you’re participating in.
Ready to get started? Click here to check your eligibility for FFCP online today.
Check out the other posts in this series here:
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Is FFCP Right For You? Part 1: You Want to Work with People You Trust
The Family Forest Carbon Program is run by the American Forest Foundation (AFF), a trusted non-profit in forest conservation since 1932. In 2020, we partnered with the Nature Conservancy to launch FFCP, with the goal of giving small, private forest landowners access to the voluntary carbon market. The day-to-day operations of the program are run by AFF, and our team is made up of experts in forestry, finance, customer service, and fundraising, to name a few.
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Is FFCP Right For You? Part 4: You Want to Know You're Getting a Good Deal
We know that money probably isn't the top priority when it comes to your forest, but it’s still important. If you’re like most landowners, you want to know that whatever you implement is going to be financially possible for you and your family, and that you’re not making an outright poor financial decision. In this article we’ll look at how the Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP) is designed to protect you from market risk while increasing the long-term value of your forest.