Boone Appalachian IFM Kentucky, USA

The Boone IFM project spans nearly 17,000 hectares in the state of Kentucky which sits in one of the most biodiverse regions of North America with steep, forested slopes and narrow valleys. Industrial private lands in the region use aggressively short-term rotation cycles, which can mean clearcut harvesting.

By committing to maintain forest carbon stocks above the regional baseline level and to reduce harvesting levels below annual growth rates, the project delivers carbon reductions and removals. The forest in the project areas is a mix of hardwoods, especially yellow poplar and chestnut oak.

This project fosters sustainable, natural forest growth, wildlife habitat and forest health. The project ensures long-term sustainable management of the forests, which could otherwise undergo significant commercial timber harvesting. The southern Appalachia region is home to important North American biodiversity such as elk, deer and black bears.

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.