WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rita Hite, president and CEO of the American Forest Foundation (AFF), released the following statement in response to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement to establish the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program Advisory Council in accordance with the Growing Climate Solutions Act:  

“Natural climate solutions are an indispensable tool in the fight against climate change, and the voluntary carbon market is one of the most financially viable mechanisms to maximize those solutions. At the same time, it must work for America’s family forest owners who have the potential to provide as much as 1 billion tonnes of climate mitigation through sustainable climate-smart forestry practices. As an emerging market, transparency, high quality, and certainty of standards and requirements for landowners and buyers are key. USDA’s creation of this council is a major step in creating the enabling conditions needed to build and scale a market that works for people and the planet. We congratulate USDA for seeking industry experts who have the learning and practical experience to effectively unlock market access for rural communities and equip landowners to care for the health and wellbeing of America’s family forests.” 

CONTACT: Kristen Voorhees, Communications Director, media@forestfoundation.org

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About The American Forest Foundation 

The American Forest Foundation is a national conservation organization that empowers family forest owners to make meaningful conservation impact. The organization’s flagship program, the Family Forest Carbon Program, helps landowners implement forest management practices to protect the health of their woodlands and help the planet. To learn more about the American Forest Foundation and the Family Forest Carbon Program, visit www.forestfoundation.org/carbon.