Hood River Tree Farm Secures Core Carbon Principles Label

The project shifts traditional timber management strategies by extending harvest rotations from the standard 45 years to 90 years. By committing to this longer growth cycle, the county effectively stores more carbon within the Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine stands, which are largely over 65 years old. This initiative operates under the ACR Improved Forest Management methodology and uses a dynamic baseline to ensure that credit accuracy is recalculated every few years.

For local officials, the carbon credits offer a financial alternative to aggressive logging. Hood River County Administrator Allison Williams noted that the program provides an incentive to manage forests for public benefit rather than relying solely on increased timber harvests to fund essential services. These revenues are earmarked for the acquisition of additional forestland to be enrolled in the program.

Beyond climate mitigation, the site remains open for public recreation, including mountain biking and hiking. The sustainable management plan also prioritizes habitat protection for threatened species, such as the Northern Spotted Owl, Bull Trout, and various salmon populations. The Climate Trust, an Oregon-based nonprofit, developed the project to demonstrate how nature-based solutions can integrate ecological stewardship with the economic realities of timber-dependent communities.