Taking care of forestlands is no small task. This is in part due to the fact that there is much to understand within the fields of conservation and forestry. As a result, there are often myths around certain practices or ideas when it comes to caring for forestlands. Whether landowners are looking to conserve wildlife and promote biodiversity, get rid of invasive species or fight climate change through carbon sequestration projects, it can be daunting to figure out how to realize these goals. Luckily, with the help of forestry professionals, landowners can receive the guidance and tools necessary to sustainably manage their woods.

Through the Family Forest Carbon Program, landowners have the opportunity to work closely with forestry professionals to meet their goals. Developed in collaboration by the American Forest Foundation and The Nature Conservancy, the program supports America’s family forest owners with sustainable management that improves the health of their forests and addresses climate change.

As with forestry in general, there are also myths about the Family Forest Carbon Program. Luckily, forestry professionals and landowners can share their knowledge with one another to clear up misconceptions, improve transparency and work together so sustainable forest management can take place.

Below are 5 common myths about forestry and the Family Forest Carbon Program.

Myth 1: The only role a forester has is marking trees for harvests

One common misconception surrounding the role of foresters is that many people think foresters are only used to mark trees for harvests or that they only want to cut trees down. While foresters have traditionally been involved in marking trees for timber harvests – and still conduct this practice to this day – this is not the only role, and usually a small one, a forester plays in managing woodlands.

In particular, the forestry professionals associated with the Family Forest Carbon Program are there as a resource for landowners to help them achieve the goals they want to see on their forestlands. Forestry professionals are experts that provide advice and guidance for landowners. Oftentimes, landowners have the opportunity to walk their property with one of the Family Forest Carbon Program foresters, or work with their existing forester, and learn new, fascinating facts about their land. While some harvesting is allowed in the program, the Family Forest Carbon Program foresters’ main purpose is to work with landowners to develop a forest management plan that lays out specific management recommendations so that landowners can meet their goals for their property.

Learn more: 5 benefits of working with a forestry professional through the Family Forest Carbon Program.

Myth 2: The Family Forest Carbon Program is run and operated by the government

Another common myth about the Family Forest Carbon Program is that it is a program operated by the government. However, the program is not government-run. The Family Forest Carbon program was developed and is operated by two nonprofits: the American Forest Foundation and The Nature Conservancy. The program allows landowners with smaller properties – as small as 30 wooded acres – to get involved in voluntary carbon markets, which have traditionally been exclusive to landowners with several thousand acres.

As a result, the program supports family and individual forest owners in managing their woods in ways that meaningfully increases the amount of carbon sequestered and stored. The program also partners with businesses who are working to address their carbon emissions, and confront climate change.

Learn more: About the Family Forest Carbon Program.

Myth 3: Carbon credits give companies an excuse to pollute

As mentioned, the Family Forest Carbon Program offers family forest owners and other private landowners the opportunity to get involved in the voluntary carbon market. These owners enhance the health of their woods through various sustainable forest management practices which in turn allow their forests to capture and sequester more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Each additional tonne of carbon dioxide that gets removed from the atmosphere is considered a carbon credit, which companies looking to offset their emissions can purchase. This is where another misconception enters the conversation; if companies can just purchase credits to offset their emissions, doesn’t that give them an excuse to pollute even more?

While this may be true of other carbon programs, the companies that purchase credits from the Family Forest Carbon Program are not incentivized to pollute. The Family Forest Carbon Program produces high-quality, high-integrity carbon credits that are third-party verified and then sold to businesses that are rigorously vetted for their sustainability practices. Companies that buy from the program must have already addressed their own emissions first. Only after this can they buy credits from the Family Forest Carbon Program to account for any outstanding or residual emissions that they cannot reduce on their own.

Learn more: How the Family Forest Carbon Program works with carbon buyers.

Myth 4: Landowners need to follow forest management plans to a “T”

One of the benefits landowners receive as a result of enrolling in the Family Forest Carbon Program is a free forest management plan. The forest management plan is a document that the Family Forest Carbon Program forestry professionals write to guide landowners on how they can steward their forests to achieve the goals they want to see on their land. However, many landowners think they need to follow the document to a “T” or there will be repercussions.

Fortunately, this is not true. The forest management plan lays out steps and specific management recommendations that guide landowners in the management of their forestlands over a 10-year period, and it is not meant to be burdensome. A landowner does not have to adopt every recommendation that is suggested in the document, and can choose what practices make sense for their goals for their woodlands; the landowners steer the course of their management. What’s even better, is that the forest management plan can be used to help landowners reach multiple goals for their property – they do not have to choose just one!

There are many ways – not just one “right” way – a landowner can follow their forest management plan to ensure they meet their objectives.

Learn more: Three ways to use a forest management plan.

Myth 5: Management isn’t necessary

Many landowners believe it’s not necessary to manage their forests, and even think forests are healthiest when left alone. Decades of forest mismanagement, extensive timber harvests, invasive species and pests, and a changing climate have resulted in unhealthy forests that cannot become healthy on their own. Old sayings like “Everything green is good” and the idea that letting forests regenerate on their own have also contributed to shaping this myth.

Yet, forest management is necessary to improve the health of these landscapes, provide more robust timber, support wildlife conservation and address climate change. And managing these landscapes will only become more important as time goes on. Thankfully, management does not have to be a daunting task, but it does require effort. Small actions, like pulling out invasive plants, can be taken here and there to make improvements to woodlands. Over time, these small actions add up and make a difference. The Family Forest Carbon Program empowers – and pays – landowners who take these small steps leading to the long-term health of their forestlands and additional carbon sequestration.

Learn more: Creating healthier woodlands.

Whether they are about forestry, the Family Forest Carbon Program or anything else we encounter in our lives, misconceptions are all around us. Luckily, we can work together, ask questions and share information to help clear up the confusion. If you have any questions about the Family Forest Carbon Program, do not hesitate to contact us or visit the Family Forest Carbon Program website to learn more.

Illustrations created by AFF summer intern Sophie Morin.