Timber harvesting is, and will continue to be, an essential part of life in northern New Hampshire and the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Working Forest. Timber harvesting is also an important part of forest management on this land. Aurora practices selective harvesting, targeting the best tress to cut to maximize both forest health and sawlog value. We have been—and will remain—engaged with the local forest products industry as well as state and local leaders as we steward this property for the benefit of all.
We understand the concerns about potential revenue loss related to planned reduction of timber harvesting. We will continue to work with state and local policymakers and community stakeholders to understand how carbon credit projects may impact timber tax revenue. We’ve also committed to making up any deficit in timber tax revenue in the towns of Pittsburg, Stewartstown, and Clarksville for the current tax year, understanding such agreements may need to be examined next year as well.
Native species—plants and animals—are vital to long-term forest health. The benefits of Aurora’s approach to forest management are many, including healthier ecosystems, increased biodiversity, protections for vital habitats, and enhanced forest health. In New Hampshire, we are working with local organizations to understand and monitor the species that are native to the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Working Forest.
Yes! Forests—and hardwood forests, specifically—are the oldest and most effective nature-based carbon removal tool. Since 2013, this forest has been enrolled in a carbon project because of its ability to naturally sequester carbon from the atmosphere—2.5 million metric tonnes over the last decade. That is the equivalent of taking more than 484,000 gas powered vehicles off the road for a year. Our forest is a climate solution of global significance.
Aurora’s 1.6 million total acres of managed preserved forestland are projected to remove 5.2M metric tons of CO₂ from the atmosphere in 2024. This generates nature-based carbon credits that are reliable, durable, and high-quality.
Companies that purchase carbon credits often have a footprint in many states, including in New Hampshire. Carbon credits complement other ways companies strive to meet environmental goals, including their own efforts to reduce emissions. Regardless of a company’s location(s) however, the benefits of carbon credits impact everyone through cleaner air, diverse wildlife, and healthy, thriving forests.