Forest Carbon Survey

Exploring Forest Carbon Program Opportunities for Woodland Owners

Virginia’s woodlands are a vital part of our landscape providing a series of benefits to society such as wildlife habitat, clean water, and recreation, but also providing income for thousands of families. As new opportunities to reward woodland owners for sustainable forest management emerge, it’s critical that we understand what makes these programs practical and appealing for woodland owners like you.

Researchers from the Forest Economics Lab in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation at Virginia Tech are conducting a statewide study to learn more about woodland owners’ perspectives on forest carbon programs. These programs offer woodland owners an opportunity to access carbon markets in exchange for certain forest management actions. As these programs continue to develop, our goal is to identify which program features shape landowner participation decisions and, most importantly, how forest carbon programs affect landowner well-being.

What are Forest carbon programs?

As trees grow, they naturally absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store that carbon in their trunks, branches, leaves, and roots. This stored carbon is often referred to as forest carbon. Because of this process, woodland plays a role in air quality and in regulating temperatures and humidity.

Forest carbon programs provide woodland owners with an opportunity to access carbon markets. Through these programs, landowners enter into agreements to carry out specific forest management practices that increase carbon storage compared to typical management. In return, landowners receive payments, which are funded by the sale of carbon credits in carbon markets. Examples of forest management practices that may increase carbon storage include actions such as delaying harvests, planting additional trees, or improving stand conditions through invasive species removal.

How are woodland owners selected for this survey?

Woodland owners across Virginia have been randomly selected using publicly available landownership data. If you were selected, you should receive a postcard invitation like the one below from our research team at Virginia Tech.

Each postcard includes a unique survey access code with 6 digits, along with a QR code and a survey link.  If you receive this postcard, please consider taking part in the survey by scanning the QR code with your phone/tablet. It should take you around 20 minutes to complete the survey. Participation is completely voluntary, and you may opt out at any time.

Your input matters!

Your participation will contribute valuable insights into our research study and give you the chance to learn more about forest carbon programs and how they might benefit your woodland. Not only that! By sharing your views, you may help shape carbon programs that reward good stewardship, support sustainable woodland management, and promote lasting environmental and economic benefits as we will be sharing our final research findings with carbon developers and policy makers. So, your responses have the potential to guide improvements to future forest carbon and incentive programs ensuring they remain fair, transparent, and responsive to the needs of Virginia’s woodland owners.

We will also share the final research results with you. Your answers will remain confidential and will always remain completely anonymous. 

Together, we can ensure that forest carbon programs truly reflect the goals, challenges, and values of Virginia’s woodland owners, supporting healthy woodlands, strong communities, and a sustainable future for all.

Contact information

This study has been reviewed and approved by the Virginia Tech Institutional Review Board (IRB #25-1230). For questions about the survey, please contact Dr. Stella Schons, Forest Economics Lab, Virginia Tech, at szschons@vt.edu.

START THE SURVEY

Together, we can ensure that forest carbon programs truly reflect the goals, challenges, and values of Virginia’s woodland owners, supporting healthy woodlands, strong communities, and a sustainable future for all.