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Carbon Offset Program

The role of land in a changing climate—you are making a difference

February 23, 2021

As a land conservancy, we focus on protecting and preserving lands for current and future generations. Since the effects of climate change continue to threaten our ecosystems and local wildlife, we must work harder than ever to protect as much land as possible from fragmentation and development.

Land conservation in our region helps reduce the damaging (and often unpredictable) effects of climate change in two main ways:

By offsetting greenhouse gases

  • As we grapple with increasing levels of C02 (a greenhouse gas) in our atmosphere, we have to find creative solutions not only to reduce emissions, but to capture the carbon that has already been released into the atmosphere.
  • Part of LMC’s work involves protecting mature forests. This not only helps to maintain current carbon stores (because carbon is stored in plants, trees, and soil) but it also reduces future greenhouse gas emissions on these parcels, if they would otherwise be converted to commercial use and/or developed.

By providing and connecting habitat for wildlife

  • Forests are home to about 80% of all land-dwelling species (IUCN).
  • Ensuring that wildlife have enough space to move freely and resources to survive and breed is essential to maintaining a balanced ecosystem.
  • LMC works to maintain habitat for wildlife. In doing so, we focus on keeping critical habitats and habitat corridors safe for migratory and year-round species to live, travel, and rest. Losing even one piece of habitat can mean the difference between surviving or not for an animal, a flock, a herd, or even an entire species.

And there’s more: with your help, our new Carbon Offset Program will further work to counteract the harmful effects of climate change. We are excited to share with you in the months to come this innovative approach to protecting the lands we love. As always, thank you for your support.

LMC President and CEOSincerely,

Robyn Carlton
Executive Director
robyn@lookoutmountainconservancy.org

P.S. If you are interested in learning more about conserving your land, we are here to answer your questions and help you decide if it might be a good choice for you. It is our honor to manage and protect these precious spaces.