California Institute for Energy and Environment (CIEE)

Afforestation was identified in Phase I of WESTCARB as a significant terrestrial carbon sequestration opportunity, both in Shasta County and at the state level for California, Oregon and Washington. This report summarizes work done under WESTCARB Phase II (2006-10) by Winrock International and its Shasta County partners, primarily the Western Shasta Resource Conservation District and WM Beaty and Associates, to implement afforestation pilot projects. Activities included refining land classification for afforestation potential; landowner outreach and formal surveys; setting criteria for selection and distribution of pilot plantings; developing site-specific planting and maintenance plans; negotiating landowner agreements; sourcing seed and growing seedlings in nurseries; taking baseline carbon stock measurements; collecting data on operational costs; conducting site preparation, planting and early maintenance; and modeling carbon accumulation. A total of twelve afforestation projects were implemented, totaling 476 acres. Initial survival rates were determined, and future growth and carbon stocks were modeled over a 100-year period.