How It Works

We unlock the financial potential of carbon markets so you can advance your long-term financial and conservation legacy.

Earn Money While Conserving Your Forest

Carbon markets are complicated, but at Forest Carbon Works, we make profiting from them simple. With our team’s collective 35+ years of combined carbon project experience, we design and manage all aspects of the Forest Carbon Works program, handle all reporting, and sell the premium-grade carbon credits our members’ land earns on the Voluntary Carbon Market.

Here are the FCW program terms you need to know:

  • Payment Period: 25-year conservation commitment
  • Land Requirements: Minimum of 100 forested acres; all owned forested acres must be enrolled in the program
  • Harvest Guidelines: Includes harvesting caps and climate-smart harvesting practices during the crediting period

Watch this video to learn more.

How Much Can I Earn?

Earnings for qualifying landowners depend on their forest’s carbon accretion rate—the more productive your forest, the higher the payment. Productivity varies by region, so the best way to find out your potential earnings is to apply!

After signing the Membership Agreement, you’ll receive a down payment within 30 days. Payments continue annually for the first 25 years. You can choose to extend these payments in 5-year increments, up to 50 years total, as long as you remain in good standing.

Is There a Revenue Share Opportunity?

Yes, members earn through our revenue share model, benefiting as the carbon credit market grows. Earnings are based on the number of verified carbon units (VCUs) generated per acre, the sale price of each credit, and each property’s unique crediting rate (or “productivity”)–the tons of carbon captured per acre.

FCW manages the entire process–project setup, verification, registration, marketing, and sales–and landowners simply receive annual payments during the 25-year crediting period.

Forest and tree tops

Customization for Larger Acreages

For large forested landholdings (typically 2,000 acres or more) in highly productive areas, we offer on-site analyses if our remote assessment suggests it could lead to a higher payment offer. We can also incorporate planned harvest amounts into your offer if you provide removal volumes and acreages.

If the remote assessment indicates below-average productivity, we may still craft a customized payment offer based on reliable productivity data. For details, please consult your membership advisor.

In either case, our team is ready to collaborate with your land management professionals—foresters, attorneys, financial advisors, and others—to ensure the best approach for your membership.

What are the membership prerequisites and responsibilities?

Membership prerequisites
Member responsibilities

Ready to get started?

Create an account and complete our land assessment application. Once your forest is qualified, we’ll send you a Membership Offer!

Apply now