Triangle Land Conservancy is protecting 230-acres of mature upland forest in the Research Triangle region of central North Carolina, specifically in Chatham County within the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro metropolitan planning area. By enrolling the property in a carbon project, Triangle Land Conservancy aims to protect at-risk, mature forest to protect water quality, habitat, and community health benefits of the forest.

The Big Woods Forest Preservation project is a mix of loblolly pine, sweetgum, yellow-poplar, wooded wetlands, and other mixed upland hardwood tree species. The property is zoned for residential use and faces significant development pressure from neighboring residential growth. As part of the carbon project, Triangle Land Conservancy will protect the forest with a state-held conservation easement to permanently preserve this high-quality forest in perpetuity. This property has been identified as highly valuable in several different conservation plans, and its protection is an important part of regional efforts.

Triangle Land Conservancy eventually plans to open this preserve up to the public; this would offer passive recreation opportunities for the surrounding communities. The project is also located approximately 7.5 miles upstream of the city of Cary’s public drinking water intake on Jordan Lake. Watershed protection is paramount in this area, as the lake supports drinking water for numerous communities but continues to struggle with excessive nutrient enrichment from upstream runoff. Triangle Land Conservancy plans to reinvest carbon credit revenue generated from this project into stewardship and protecting neighboring forested land facing similar development pressures.

Total Credits Issued: 4,604

• 2025: 4,604 credits issued

Total Credits Sold: 0

Total Credits Retired: 0

Total Credits Cancelled: 0

Total Credits Available for Purchase: 4,604

Co-Benefits

Forest preservation projects not only reduce carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but provide ecosystem services or co-benefits that can be quantified. The co-benefits from this project represent a savings (avoided costs) of $183,967 per year, and $7,358,694 over 40 years.

• Rain interception (stormwater management) – 55,742 m3/year, $145,800 per year
• Air quality – 5.4697 t/yr, $11,909 per year
• Energy – cooling (electricity) – 328,001 kWh/year, $24,895 per year
• Energy – heating (natural gas) – 131,215 kBtu/year, $1,363 per year

Social Impacts

The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an urgent call for action and global partnership among all countries, representing key benchmarks for creating a better world and environment for everyone. Well-designed and managed urban forests make significant contributions to the environmental sustainability, economic viability and livability of cities.

The main SDGs for this project are described below, with more detailed information in the Project Design Document.

This project is located 1.7 miles upstream of Jordan Lake and will help provide clean drinking water for nearly 700,000 residents. Forested land acts as a buffer for water resources, helping reduce some of the downstream impact of watershed nutrient loading. Keeping the area forested will also aid with soil stability and negative storm impacts.

The forest will bolster local biodiversity by protecting over 1.4 miles of perennial streams, including over 50 acres of buffer and wetland area. This is important for protecting riverine life, fragile ecosystems, and bird habitat in the region.

The forest will provide protection from UV exposure as well as help mitigate extreme summer temperatures typical of the Southeastern United States. This is particularly important for vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.