Appalachia forest landowners can create passive income and a lasting legacy by enrolling into the ACE Forest Management program.
To receive a preliminary estimate, share a few details of your property with us in the application below.
How it works
01
Fill out Forest Management Landowner Application, receive a Preliminary Estimate
02
Land Management and Data Review
03
Meet and discuss Final Estimate
04
Contract signing and project kick off
05
Forest Inventory and Verification
06
Annual payments begin
Our Service Area
General Context
What is the Appalachian Carbon Exchange (ACE)?
ACE is a non-profit based in Chattanooga, Tennessee that assists forest landowners in enrolling in nature-based forest programs. We connect landowners, project developers, and forestry professionals together creating singular aggregated projects for entry into carbon credit markets. We are the regional, on the ground advocate for the landowner.
Why did the Tennessee River Gorge Trust start this initiative?
TRGT has participated in the California compliance carbon market since 2012. In recent years, they watched the rules within that program continue to limit the participation of out-of-state offset projects. With a focus on local landowner communities and trust-based relationships, TRGT sought to create a process they and others in the region could participate in. In due time, ACE was born. ACE maintains complete independence with separate accounting, staff, and board authority.
Who is ACE?
The team at ACE is experienced in forestry, land management, research, and US based carbon markets. Our project partners are trusted and experienced industry leaders that provide professionalism and expertise to each of our programs. Our program is different because:
- Real people, like our program managers and trusted foresters, come to your land for on the ground site visits, inventory, and verifications.
- We provide full transparency to both the landowner and the buyer throughout the project process.
- You can meet and talk with other landowners in the program.
- ACE manages the paperwork and long-term program maintenance, not the landowners.
- We inventory and catalog non-economic benefits to the ecosystem including wildlife, water quality, recreation, and more.
- Real people, like our program managers and trusted foresters, come to your land for on the ground site visits, inventory, and verifications.
- We provide full transparency to both the landowner and the buyer throughout the project process.
- You can meet and talk with other landowners in the program.
- ACE manages the paperwork and long-term program maintenance, not the landowners.
- We inventory and catalog non-economic benefits to the ecosystem including wildlife, water quality, recreation, and more.
Requirements
What kind of forest qualifies for the program?
- The average acreage for ACE landowners is between 1,000 - 15,000 acres. This can be in one parcel or many. We accept landowners with 500+ acres of land, and may accept smaller tracts depending on the situation.
- Located in central or southern Appalachia (see map).
- Mixed hardwood/pine forests (no single-species plantings).
- Property has not been logged in the past 10 years.
- You must own the timber, minerals, and carbon rights.
- Located in central or southern Appalachia (see map).
- Mixed hardwood/pine forests (no single-species plantings).
- Property has not been logged in the past 10 years.
- You must own the timber, minerals, and carbon rights.
Do all past harvest activities make my property ineligible?
Not necessarily. Eligibility of forests with prior commercial harvest activity (beyond 10 years) depends on the amount of and time of harvest. The ACE team will need to assess your parcel before approving your eligibility. Please submit any documentation or known information as a part of your application.
I have a conservation easement on my land - is it eligible?
Only if your easement still allows timber harvest. If it doesn't, your land is not eligible. But if you want to add an easement later, that’s usually fine. These would be easements predominantly consisting of forestry or agriculture envelopes, and will be additional to any legal restrictions that are implemented on behalf of the carbon rights.
What are my responsibilities, if I join?
If you join, you’re agreeing to:
- No major timber harvests for 40 years. Selective harvests are allowed, the extent of which are outlined depending on which program you are enrolled in.
- ACE and its partners will visit the property, with notice, during verification and validation cycles.
- Keeping your forest healthy and reporting any changes from year to year.
- Record a public facing deed restriction for timber.
- Any future timber harvests must be allowed under specific harvest certifications (like American Tree Farm, FSC etc).
- No major timber harvests for 40 years. Selective harvests are allowed, the extent of which are outlined depending on which program you are enrolled in.
- ACE and its partners will visit the property, with notice, during verification and validation cycles.
- Keeping your forest healthy and reporting any changes from year to year.
- Record a public facing deed restriction for timber.
- Any future timber harvests must be allowed under specific harvest certifications (like American Tree Farm, FSC etc).
PRogram overview
What methodology does the project follow?
This project is designed under the American Carbon Registry’s Methodology for Improved Forest Management in Non-Federal U.S. Forestlands (Version 2.1; June 2024). This methodology accounts for the commitment of the landowner to reduce or eliminate the harvesting of timber, and allowing trees to sequester carbon.
What is the general process and timeline of this project?
How does the timeline work?
Pre-Enrollment – ACE visits, reviews your land, and gives you an estimate.
Enrollment – You sign the contract, we measure trees, and register your land.
Payments – You get paid each year through 2045.
After 2045 – You can harvest some of the extra growth or rejoin for more credits. Your land still stays in the program until 2065.
Pre-Enrollment – ACE visits, reviews your land, and gives you an estimate.
Enrollment – You sign the contract, we measure trees, and register your land.
Payments – You get paid each year through 2045.
After 2045 – You can harvest some of the extra growth or rejoin for more credits. Your land still stays in the program until 2065.
Can I still hunt, make trails or cut firewood?
Yes. You can do normal things like:
- Building trails
- Clearing roads
- Hunting and food plots
- Cutting firewood for personal use.
Just report any changes each year.
- Building trails
- Clearing roads
- Hunting and food plots
- Cutting firewood for personal use.
Just report any changes each year.
Costs and Payments
Are there any upfront costs to the landowner?
No upfront costs. ACE and our partners pay for the development work and get reimbursed after credit sale.
When do I get paid?
Usually within 18-24 months after your group (cohort) signs up. Then, annual or semi-annual payments will be distributed through 2045.
What's the first step?
- Fill out an application (online or with help from ACE staff).
- ACE gives you a free estimate. You’ll have a chance to ask questions, sign an NDA, and review the contract.
- ACE does deep diligence on the property, including a site visit.
- You sign the contract and join the cohort.
Still Have Questions?
Email us (community@AppalachianCarbonExchange.com) and we will walk you through the process.
- ACE gives you a free estimate. You’ll have a chance to ask questions, sign an NDA, and review the contract.
- ACE does deep diligence on the property, including a site visit.
- You sign the contract and join the cohort.
Still Have Questions?
Email us (community@AppalachianCarbonExchange.com) and we will walk you through the process.