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Forecon EMS Develops Markets and Sells Managed Forest Carbon Offset Project

FORECON EcoMarket Solutions, LLC, a subsidiary of FORECON, Inc. (a multidisciplinary forestry and natural resources consulting firm headquartered in Falconer, NY), recently completed ground breaking efforts in the area of forest carbon offsets culminating in the successful marketing of carbon credits for one of its long time clients, Forest Investment Associates.  This sustainably managed forest project totals about 20,000 acres of woodland in western NY and northwestern PA, and was verified by Environmental Services, Inc., a consulting firm and approved Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) verifier with main offices located in Jacksonville, FL.  The project was developed to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide through sound management practices and store it both in the forest and in the harvested wood products produced from the forest.  According to Matt Smith, Forester and Director of Ecosystem Services at FORECON EcoMarket Solutions LLC, "this project produces an average of approximately 20,000 carbon credits annually for sale to emitters of greenhouse gases, an asset currently worth an estimated $80,000 per year (gross)."  In order to obtain this new revenue stream, program participants must initiate detailed forest accounting and measurement systems, commit to responsible management practices, commit to sequestering carbon, and commit to keeping their forest intact.  This cutting edge project represents one of the first of its kind in the country and is a model for the development of other projects in the US.

John Gifford, Vice President of FORECON, Inc., added; "We're excited to report our recent success in aiding one of our clients in realizing new revenues by enrolling a forest carbon offset project on the Chicago Climate Exchange.   Not only will the sale of carbon credits add to the returns on their forest investment, it will promote sustainable practices, and make a positive impact on climate change, while keeping this forest intact.  This initial project represents one of the first managed forest offset projects in the country and the first to account for carbon stored in harvested wood products.  We see this recent success as a ground breaking event, and we look forward to working with other landowners to achieve the same success in the future."

The cutting edge activities initiated by FORECON could change the way we look at the forest and its value into the future.  Mr. Smith commented that "If the world is going to mitigate any negative affects of global warming, we are going to have to look to all of the tools available to us, including reduced emissions, carbon trading, and the use of offsets such as forests.  Forests are exciting in this capacity because they provide for real, measurable impacts on the climate while providing society with a host of other necessary environmental, social, and economic values at a comparatively low cost when compared against the alternatives."  For more information on forestry, climate change, carbon markets, and FORECON Inc., contact the FORECON EMS Carbon team at 716.664.5602, or log on to either of these websites: www.foreconinc.com or www.foreconecomarketsolutionsllc.com