Browsing by Author "Miller, Kristell Anne"

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    An Assessment of Lake States Landowner Interest in Selling Forest Carbon Credits
    (University of Minnesota, 2012-03) Miller, Kristell Anne; Kilgore, Michael A.; Snyder, Stephanie
    Forests serve as important terrestrial carbon sequestration sinks. In response to industry, individual, and state/regional commitments to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, carbon is now a commodity that can be sold in the marketplace. Practices that enhance sequestration ability can generate carbon credits that can be sold to entities wishing to offset emissions. The nation’s family forest lands, representing 40 percent of the nation’s forest land, can be an important contributor to carbon sequestration efforts. Yet very little is known about how family forest landowners view programs that enable them to sell carbon credits generated from the growth of their forest and the compensation level required to encourage meaningful levels of participation among the nation’s family forest owners. To address this information gap, we conducted a contingent valuation study to identify and quantify family forest landowner interest in participating in a voluntary carbon market-trading program in the Lake States. A mail survey was administered to 2,200 randomly selected family forest owners in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. The questionnaire assessed landowner interest in participating in a hypothetical carbon credit program at certain compensation levels and sought information on landowner objectives, perspectives and forest land characteristics. A total of 850 usable responses were used to develop a profile of Lake States family forest owners, estimate required compensation levels, and determine how various program characteristics influence a landowner’s interest in participating. A logistic regression model was developed to examine the factors affecting participation in a forest carbon offset project by family forest owners. Results showed that carbon program characteristics, alongside landowner and parcel characteristics, are associated with the decision to participate in a carbon credit program. Specifically, payment amount, contract length, gender, value placed on other nonmarket forest amenities, need for additional income, attitude toward climate change, absentee status, land tenure, and total acres owned were found to be significant determinants. Models were run using all respondents as well as only with those respondents indicating a high certainty in their answer. The study’s findings and implications for future forest carbon policy will be discussed in this report.
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    Family Forest Landowners’ Interest in Forest Carbon Credit Programs: Focus Group Findings from the Lake States
    (University of Minnesota, 2013-11) Miller, Kristell Anne; Kilgore, Michael A.; Snyder, Stephanie
    Focus groups were organized with individuals owning 20+ acres in the Lake States region (Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) to discuss various issues related to forest carbon offsetting. Focus group participants consisted of landowners who had responded to a mail-back survey on forest carbon offsets in 2010. Two focus groups were held per state with an average of eight participants each (49 total). While landowner participant types varied, overall convergence was reached on several key issues. In general, discussion results found that the current payment amounts offered for carbon credits are not likely, on their own, to encourage participation in carbon markets. Landowners are most interested in other benefits they can attain through carbon management (e.g., improved stand species mix, wildlife, trails). Interestingly, landowner perceptions about the condition of their own forest land were most indicative of prospective interest in carbon management. Landowners who felt their forest was currently in poor condition, or did not meet their forest ownership objectives, were most interested in participating. While the initial survey sought landowner opinions about carbon markets, a majority of focus group participants expressed interest in carbon management as a means to achieve reduced property taxes.
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    Forest carbon offsets: a multiple methods assessment of potential supply from family forest landowners
    (2013-03) Miller, Kristell Anne
    Forests serve as important terrestrial carbon sequestration sinks. By modifying current forest management practices, the amount of carbon sequestered within US forests can be increased. In response to industry and state/regional commitments to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, carbon is now a commodity that can be sold in the marketplace. Practices that enhance sequestration ability can generate carbon credits that can be sold to entities wishing to offset emissions. Family forest landowners own 42% of the nation's forest land and could contribute substantially to sequestration efforts, but only if they are willing to participate in forest offset projects. Little is known regarding this audience's views toward carbon markets, the management changes and commitments that would be necessary, and the types of incentives, compensation or assistance that would be required to encourage their participation. To address this information gap, I used both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to assess family forest owner interest in both carbon management and carbon markets. First, a mail survey of family forest owners in the Lake States (Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin) was used develop a profile of landowner interest and estimate the regional supply of forest offsets using logistic regression. Next, focus groups with Lake States landowners were conducted to obtain further insight on opportunities and barriers to managing for forest carbon offsets. Finally, a national assessment of state forestry agencies was conducted to gather their perspectives on family forest owner interest in managing for carbon and carbon offsets. The assessment also identified and described state programs currently available to assist forest landowners who want to manage for carbon or carbon offsets. Multiple triangulation methods were used to compare the major findings of each study segment and make final study conclusions.