“Mr. Klesko and Mr. Smoltz are leading the way into an important aspect of forestry’s future,” said Dru Preston, Marketing and Utilization Forester with the Georgia Forestry Commission. “Trees remove and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,” explained Preston. “Sustainable forest managers who follow Georgia’s Registry standards are now eligible to record their land’s carbon-storage and “sequestration” capabilities. An emerging market for the sale of carbon offset credits shows great potential for Georgia landowners.”

The Georgia Carbon Sequestration Registry was established in 2007 and is administered by the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). In conjunction with the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, the GFC created the Registry to provide an official record of carbon storage and carbon accumulation specifically calculated for Georgia forestry projects.

“We are excited that Big K Farm has become Georgia’s first Registry applicant because of the outstanding forestry stewardship practiced there,” said Preston. “Mr. Klesko and Mr. Smoltz manage their property for timber production and wildlife habitat, and they share the benefits of good forest management with youth groups and others.” Big K was approved as a Certified Stewardship Forest in 2005 and as the 2006 Georgia Tree Farm of the Year. “They are an excellent example for others to follow,” Preston said.

Preston explained that Georgia forest landowners are facing mounting pressures of rising costs and encroaching development, and are seeking new ways to realize returns on the ecological services their forests provide, such as clean air and clean water.

“Southern pine forests are known for fast growth rates, which means higher carbon sequestration rates,” explained Preston. “They can sequester between three and six tons of carbon dioxide equivalents per acre every year. The sale of carbon offset credits to companies that emit greenhouse gases could help balance these factors for the benefit of every Georgian,” Preston said.

Complete details about the Georgia Carbon Sequestration Registry and its enrollment qualifications can be found at www.gacarbon.org. The Georgia Forestry Commission furnishes information about Georgia’s forestry industry and the services it provides at www.gatrees.org.