Allagash Headwaters IFM Maine, USA

The project spans over 14,500 acres of forest in Piscataquis County, which has been extensively harvested in the past. Softwood species such as spruce, fir, and cedar represent 65% of the forest, with smaller components of hardwoods such as sugar maple, yellow birch, and red maple.

Carbon finance supports both conservation and emissions removals from IFM projects through more sustainable harvesting practices, which are characterized by shorter, even-aged rotations. Carbon removals are generated as the trees grow and carbon is sequestered in the wood’s biomass and stored in high-value timber products.

The project keeps CO2 levels in the forest above the regional average, providing significant climate benefits through carbon sequestration. It also ensures that sustainable forest management continues to offer long-term environmental benefits, including enhanced wildlife habitats, recreation opportunities, and forest aesthetics.

In addition to delivering emission reductions and removals to help take urgent action to combat climate change (SDG 13), Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects in North America contribute to other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering multiple benefits:

• Clean Water and Sanitation: IFM projects that shift from production to conservation protect and improve water-related forest ecosystems, enhancing water quality and water retention. Conservation practices reduce soil erosion and act as a buffer for nitrate leakage from surrounding agriculture. 
• Life on Land: IFM activities contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation and forest protection. Shifting from production to conservation helps avoid forest loss, while reduced impact logging contributes to higher species richness and biodiversity.