The field inventory project for Ahtna’s Carbon Credits Program was completed on July 30th, one week ahead of schedule and without any injuries or accidents. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires annual monitoring and an inventory every six years of the 100-year project life. The next step is to process the data and prepare for next summer’s third-party verification.

The shareholder support staff, including six bear guards, a project lead and housekeeper, did an admirable job. The crew spent a total of 23 days in the field this summer and hiked more than 350 miles, a distance from Anchorage to Fairbanks, across Ahtna land performing the program’s required inventory. They also used ATVs, trucks and helicopters to reach the approximately 370 forest plots that were verified. A huge thank you to Matthew Bechtol, Dastzeni Tibbits, Jack Bent, Thomas Gaulke, Alexander Clark, and Marissa Morlock for their vital project support!

Firewood Harvesting

A critical requirement of the Carbon Credits Program is annual reporting of any disturbances on the land, including wildland fire, tree clearing for homes and cabins, and firewood harvesting, to name a few. Firewood harvesting is allowed throughout the carbon project area. However, in order to maintain accurate reporting, all shareholders desiring to harvest firewood must obtain a permit prior to cutting. Firewood harvest permits can be obtained by shareholders for cutting on their respective former Village Corporation or Ahtna Regional lands by contacting the Ahtna Land Department.