Northern Forest Carbon & Ecosystem Services Network

The Northern Forest Carbon & Ecosystem Services Network provides a regional, four-state forum to:

  1. Connect individuals, organizations and agencies working on the development of ecosystem service markets in the Northern Forest;
  2. Develop and share relevant information, resources, and partnerships to advance specific ecosystem service projects in the region and the field of ecosystem services in general; and
  3. Inform and advocate for public policies at the state and federal levels that provide incentives and remove barriers to the formation of markets for ecosystem services.

The network is staffed by the Northern Forest Center and Conservation Collaboratives. Gatherings of the full network occur 2-3 times a year, with sub-groups communicating and meeting more frequently to advance specific projects. The network has about 30 participants and is growing! Please see the project updates section below for the latest on recent and upcoming network activities. To learn more or to get involved, please contact:

  • Exploring Carbon Markets - 11/26/12

    The Center co-hosted the workshop "Carbon: A Viable Forest Product?" in Norwich, VT on November 16, 2012 for 70 foresters, natural resource professionals, landowners, and loggers. The session covered the current status of forest carbon markets, opportunities and challenges for the future, and tools and local examples to help understand this complex topic. Presenters included Dylan Jenkins (Finite Carbon), Peter Stein (Lyme Timber), Laury Saligman (Conservation Collaboratives), Chris Pryor (New England Forestry Foundation) and John Gunn (SIG-NAL). Visit the Center's forest carbon resource page for additional information on forest carbon offsetting.
     
  • Network to Gather at Summit for the Northern Forest, May 4-5, 2011 - 03/24/11

    Participants in the Northern Forest Carbon & Ecosystem Services Network will hold a working session as part of the 2nd Summit for the Northern Forest, May 4-5 2011 at the Mountain View Grand Resort in Whitefield, NH. The working group aims not only to share ideas, but to develop plans and proposals for future Payments for Ecosystemt Services (PES) projects. The draft session agenda focuses on the following:

    Brief Reports of Current PES Projects – What payments have been made or are in the pipeline? Who are the buyers and sellers? What specific challenges must be overcome before PES markets can expand?

    The Federal Response – What specific language can be inserted into the next Farm Bill to encourage federal policy and funding for PES activities in the Northern Forest? How can the region’s congressional delegations be energized? (The working group will be asked to respond to draft language prepared by others working on various aspects of the Farm Bill.)

    A New PES Marketplace for the Northern Forest – What frameworks or infrastructure are needed to make the Northern Forest region a major player in innovative PES thinking? Should these include financial resources (a revolving loan fund, for example), a collaborative marketing effort, maps or registries (e.g., LandServer), the formation of a new regional entity? What can be learned from efforts in other parts of the country?

    To learn more about the session or to inquire about participating, please email David Sleeper or Laury Saligman
     
  • Northern Forest Carbon & Ecosystem Services Network- October, 2010 Concept Paper - 12/30/10

    This concept paper, developed by Joe Short and Laury Saligman, outlines the opportunity for a regional ecosystem services network and draft goals and objectives. Click here to view.
  • Network Meeting Notes - 10/21/10

    Twenty-three network participants met in Montpelier, Vermont to exchange updates and information on ecosystem services projects around the region and consider public policy opportunities to advance payments and markets for ecosystem services, particularly in the 2012 Farm Bill. Meeting notes.