SAF Supports the Rural Forest Markets Act

October 15, 2020

SAF is proud to support the bipartisan Rural Forest Markets Act, introduced by US Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Mike Braun (R-IN). Currently, it’s difficult, if not impossible, for rural forest landowners to enter carbon markets. This bill would create loan/bond guarantees for organizations and entities that help landowners participate in carbon and other environmental markets.

The Rural Forest Markets Act:

  • Establishes the Rural Forest Market Investment Program that offers guaranteed loans up to $150 million for nonprofits and companies to help small and family foresters create and sell forest credits for storing carbon or providing other environmental benefits.
  • Provides a climate solution by encouraging forestland owners to adopt voluntary land management practices that draw carbon out of the air and stores it in forests.
  • Creates new revenue streams for small-scale, family foresters by making it possible to generate innovative credits they can sell in established environmental marketplaces.
  • Brings investment into rural communities by reducing the financial risk to private investors who can contribute the upfront financing that makes these projects possible.

Click here to download and share the Fact Sheet.

SAF recently joined 28 partner organizations to thank Senators Stabenow and Braun for their leadership and encourage them to add this bill to any year-end package moving through Congress.

“Even though our interests are diverse, the Rural Forests Markets Act benefits us all. For example, this bill will help unlock capital investment that will allow America’s family forest owners to participate in markets for carbon and other values. This bill will not just benefit family forest owners but will also support a diverse set of private forest owners seeking to participate in market opportunities that have high up-front costs but an abundance of environmental and economic benefits especially in rural areas.”

Click here to download and share the full letter.