Page 21 - Georgia Forestry - Issue 3 - Summer 2024

cannot have one without the other. Mod- ern forestry breaks the mold for how most people think about climate solutions and environmental solutions, because they are mutually reinforcing each other.”
Technological advancements toward value-added carbon will enable the devel- opment and use of wood-based products including fuel, bioplastics, electronic components, pharmaceuticals and more. The marketplace is in the driver’s seat, signaling a clear demand for these innovative wood products and climate solutions, along with data to back it all up. However, government, industry and stakeholders are trailing behind. As the market increasingly looks to forests as a solution, stakeholders are also seeking modernization and higher standards, particularly in the context of carbon data.
“The marketplace is essentially beg- ging for forest carbon data and informa- tion and the ability to capitalize on the carbon found in Georgia forests,” said Breitling. “The market demands are inevitable. We have the opportunity as Georgia forest landowners to participate, and that can help deliver value to forests and forest products.”
Meeting market demands requires credible, high-quality carbon data, with consistency and transparency being essential for informed decision-making. To bridge the current gap, stakeholders must establish consistent market prac- tices and data standards. Credibility hinges on a unified approach, demanding accelerated efforts to meet market needs and respond to dynamics effectively.
Legislation, Partnership Show a Path Forward
Currently, there are multiple collabora- tive efforts underway, led by government leaders and key forestry advocacy orga- nizations across the nation.
In 2023, two key bills were introduced in Congress to address the urgent need for data consistency. If included in the Farm Bill, these policies will provide a signifi- cant basis to advance forest carbon data and analysis.
• The Forest Data Modernization Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), aims to update the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program to include forest carbon, and requires a timber-products output study and a national woodland-owner survey for data collection.
Forest Management Services To Help You Grow
Timber Sales

Field Support Services
Forest Inventory & Mapping Real Estate
Forestland Accounting
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