ABOUT
The Afognak improved forest management project takes place on Afognak Island in Alaska, about 40 miles from Kodiak. The area covered consists of over 8,200 acres of old-growth Sitka spruce stands, nonproductive open areas, and previously clearcut areas with dense grasses, shrubs, and sporadic Sitka spruce regeneration. The land is jointly owned by the American Land Conservancy (ALC) and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF). Prior land use history included aggressive clearcutting for commercial logging operations, a practice that continues in the region outside of the project area. Project management has a low impact, focusing on salvage, restoration, and preventative management on small areas.
IMPACT
1.5
Million metric tons of carbon captured over 30 years
8,200
Acres of forest protected
BENEFITS
- Old-growth forests will reduce about 1.5 million tons of carbon dioxide over a 30 year period.
- Provides a safe environment for animals that live there, including 5 species of salmon, brown bears, otters, weasels, deer, goats, beaver, rabbits, and bald eagles.
- Produces clean air and water for the Earth by acting as a natural filter that helps remove pollutants from the air and water.
- Provides local jobs in regards to property supervision and monitoring.
PHOTOS
VERIFICATIONS
Founded in 2005, Verra is a global leader helping tackle the world’s most intractable environmental and social challenges by developing and managing standards that help the private sector, countries, and civil society achieve ambitious sustainable development and climate action goals. Verra’s global standards and frameworks serve as linchpins for channeling finance towards high-impact activities that tackle some of the most pressing environmental issues of our day.