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Purchasing Carbon Credits from TPL

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the major greenhouse gases causing global warming. Trees absorb C02 as they grow-a process known as sequestration. TPL is currently reforesting land in Louisiana to restore habitat and sequester carbon, and is selling the carbon credits we are generating to underwrite more reforestation. TPL sells these credits to businesses and industries.

Current purchasers of carbon credits from TPL projects include Entergy, Detroit Edison, Conoco-Phillips and Volkswagen of America. For information on purchasing carbon credits from TPL, email TPL project manager Don Morrow at Don.Morrow@tpl.org or call (850) 591-7645.

About the Project

TPL is reforesting nearly 9,000 acres in Louisiana's Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley for addition to the Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge. Clear-cut in the 1930's and 1940's, the forest was then converted to cotton, soybeans, and other crops until 2003.

In 2003 TPL began the acquisition of a three-part, 11,000-acre addition to the wildlife refuge As of February 2008, TPL had reforested 6,000 acres, planting over 1,800,000 trees. TPL has the capacity to reforest up to an additional 2,300 acres of the remaining acreage. All 11,000 acres of the property will be conveyed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serivce (USFWS).

The 2.5-million bottomland hardwood trees being replanted will capture more than 3.0 million tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over the next 100 years. Environmental Synergy, Inc. and Winrock International are providing planting and monitoring support. The plantings have been registered under section 1605(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Reporting Protocols. The project easily meets standards of additionality, since the land was clear-cut in the 1940's. Permanence is achieved through conveyance of the property to USFWS for permanent management. Insurance for the critical first two years is obtained to protect against drought, flood, hail or other forces. Site monitoring is conducted in the first, fourth, fifth and tenth years after planting. Planting and monitoring reports are provided to both TPL and DOE.

More than twenty-one native tree species have been planted, primarily oaks, but also green ash, bald cypress and sweet pecan. A total of 302 trees are planted on each acre. Trees are chosen that are suitable for the habitat, soil and hydrologic conditions on the site.

As they grow, the trees will provide additional benefits beyond the reduction of greenhouse gases. They will help filter drinking water, restore critical wildlife corridors, and provide habitat for native wildlife and migratory birds. The land is part of the Singer Tract, the last known breeding area of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. When completely reforested, the parcel will provide a wildlife corridor and habitat for the endangered Louisiana Black Bear as specified in the USFWS's recovery plan for that species.

Pricing & Agreement Structure

TPL has acquired and holds title to the property. TPL uses carbon sequestration funding to pay for reforestation of the property and then conveys the property to the USFWS as an addition to the Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge. Additional Funding comes from appropriations through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (MBCC).

At the time the property is transferred the USFWS, the service enters an agreement to cooperate with monitoring and maintenance of the reforestation area for a period of 100 years. USFWS receives a management fee, typically $50 for each planted acre.

Carbon sequestration funding allows TPL to subsidize the acquisition cost of the refuge addition, accomplish habitat reforestation and provide management funding to the agency. Pricing of $10 per short ton of carbon allows TPL to increase both its land acquisition subsidy and management fee at a time when federal funding for land and management is decreasing.

For information on purchasing carbon credits from TPL, email TPL project manager Don Morrow at Don.Morrow@tpl.org or call (850) 591-7645.

Partner Information

The Trust for Public Land
The Trust for Public Land (TPL), established in 1972, is a national nonprofit land conservation organization specializing in conservation real estate by applying its expertise in negotiations, public finance, and law, to conserve land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and natural areas.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service administers the National Wildlife Refuge System for the conservation, management and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United State for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

Environmental Synergy, Inc.
Environmental Synergy, Inc. (ESI) is an Atlanta-based company providing reforestation and carbon quantification services to corporate clients as a means to offset carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and promote sustainable forestry.

Posted 2/2008