The principles recognize forests as a natural climate solution and provide a common framework for engaging stakeholders in discussions about climate solutions. “We are signing on because we believe the need to address climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time and all businesses have a responsibility to look for solutions. Our role is to understand the science pertaining to the role of forests, forest management, and forest products in mitigating climate change, then to participate in the design of regulations and market based solutions that will enable our businesses to contribute meaningfully to climate solutions.” – Jim Hourdequin, CEO, The Lyme Timber Company.

The Call Junction property, in southeastern Texas, features 40 acres of loblolly pine plantation and 202 acres of pastureland. The mitigation project includes the cessation of agricultural operations, the restoration of wetlands and riparian habitat, and the restoration of streams to increase sinuosity and connectivity with the flood plain.

Since 2010, when forest carbon offsets markets were in their infancy, Lyme has partnered with Finite Carbon to generate forest carbon offsets with a focus on California’s compliance market. With projects in Maine, Tennessee, West Virginia, Alabama, Wisconsin, and Oregon, we have structured forest carbon offsets projects to sequester over 5 million tons of CO2e. You can learn more about the growing opportunity for forestland owners in compliance and voluntary forest carbon offsets markets in the Wall Street Journal’s August 24, 2020 article featuring Finite Carbon.

The contiguous block of forestland, historically managed for timber and recreation, contains relatively high timber stocking and attractive conservation values including freshwater resources, wildlife habitat, and aesthetic values including views of Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, Broken Top, and Three Sisters.

The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) guarantees the full $900 million annual allocation to the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and provides nearly $2 billion annually for five years for critical maintenance and infrastructure in our national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, recreation areas, and Native American communities.

The property is located in the Upper Black Warrior watershed, one of the most ecologically valuable and biologically diverse freshwater habitats in the US.

This diverse property is dominated by natural hardwood forests, mixed in with natural conifer forests as well as conifer plantations.

This easement will conserve the natural resources of the Suwannee River and the Gulf of Mexico, increasing coastal resiliency and providing clean water, clean air, and wildlife habitat. The lands remain on local tax rolls and will continue to be sustainably managed for timber production that contributes to the local economy.  

Galveston Bay Foundation’s acquisition of the property with funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) will help restore and protect Texas’s natural resources affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The 158-acre agricultural and recreational property includes approximately 16,000 feet of streams that have been straightened and deepened to improve drainage for agriculture.