Miller, Kristell AnneKilgore, Michael A.Snyder, Stephanie2015-03-202015-03-202013-11https://hdl.handle.net/11299/1706701 electronic resource (PDF; 40 pages)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.enReport