Be Wise . . . Be CarbonWise.
Florida CarbonWise is
a carbon offset program of the Friends of Florida State Forests. It
provides financial support for carbon sequestration projects on
Florida’s forests, showing the value of trees and forests in a larger
climate change strategy.
By contributing to Florida CarbonWise, you can take a positive approach in addressing global climate change by reducing the impact of your or your family’s carbon footprint.
A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gasses produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide. It is meant to be useful for individuals and corporations to conceptualize their personal (or organizational) impact in contributing to global climate change. A conceptual tool in response to carbon footprints is carbon offsets, or the mitigation of carbon emissions through the development of alternative projects such as solar or wind energy or reforestation.
Carbon sequestration is the process by which atmospheric carbon dioxide is absorbed by trees through photosynthesis and stored as carbon in biomass (trunks, branches, foliage, and roots) and soils. Carbon sequestration in forests and wood products helps offset fossil fuel emissions. Carbon sequestration will take place over the life of a tree. Carbon benefits associated with the Florida CarbonWise may take up to 90 years to be completely realized.
Planting trees is a natural option to decrease atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gasses, and simultaneously benefiting water quality, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities. Trees use the carbon to grow while they naturally respire oxygen (learn more).
Friends of Florida State Forests carbon sequestration projects are reforestation projects in areas where wildfires have occurred and destroyed the current forest, areas that have been harvested due to insect and disease outbreaks and restoration through reforestation, sequestering carbon and providing additional benefits to the forests. These projects are consistent with the Florida Forest Service forest management plans.
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How do I determine my carbon footprint?
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There are numerous “Carbon Calculators” on the Internet. All will provide an approximation of an individual’s or family’s carbon footprint. We prefer to use the carbon calculator offered by EPA. Calculate your annual carbon footprint to determine your personal or your family’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Changing your behavior to reduce your emissions is the best climate change strategy available! Here are a few ways to reduce your carbon emissions - electric, direct billing, general reductions and donating to Florida CarbonWise.
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. . . $5 per metric tonne of your personal or your family’s greenhouse gas emissions as estimated by the carbon calculator. However, any contribution would be appreciated and used to enhance Florida CarbonWise projects.
With your donation, native trees will be planted in areas where wildfires have occurred and destroyed the current forest, areas that have been harvested due to insect and disease outbreaks and restoration through reforestation. As these trees grow, they will help fix the carbon dioxide by splitting it up into carbon and oxygen.
Businesses
Any business can contribute to Florida CarbonWise . Because EPA’s carbon calculator is a simplified tool designed for personal emissions, companies and organizations will require an alternate means of estimating their corporate carbon footprint. All reforestation projects will be designed to generate quality forest carbon offsets, meaning that they result in a true net carbon benefit to the environment as well as other social, environmental, and economic co-benefits. For more information, please contact the program coordinator of the Friends of Florida State Forests.
Volunteer!
Become a DOF Volunteer. Visit Volunteer Opportunities to learn about how you can become involved in preserving Florida state forests for the enjoyment of future generations.
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WITH YOUR SUPPORT, THESE REFORESTATION PROJECTS CAN BE INCREASED.
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[Contributions do not result in a transfer of rights or ownership of
the trees. Those who participate in the program and offset their
emissions are helping to increase the carbon benefit of Florida’s
forests, which is a public good]
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