Family Forest Landowners’ Interest in Forest Carbon Credit Programs: Focus Group Findings from the Lake States

Abstract

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.