Western Reserve Land Conservancy protected 55 acres of forest in Hambden Township, Ohio. The forest consists of a mix of red and sugar maple, bitternut hickory, and black cherry trees. Protecting the forest as part of a carbon project provides long-term open space for the surrounding community, watershed protection, human health benefits, and wildlife habitat including several endangered bat and bird species.

The Project area will eventually be open daily as a park that the public will have access to for exercise, club gatherings, and other community events. Public access will allow pedestrian use for nature enjoyment, nature study, bird watching and other compatible uses not detrimental to the high-quality habitat. The location of this Project in Hambden Township, and its high density of residential occupants, will provide perpetual public access and human health benefits to the surrounding community.

The Project’s protection of open space will contribute to increased recreational opportunities that improve human health and well-being. The creation and protection of recreational and social opportunities will positively contribute to the quality of life of Geauga County residents. The preservation of mature trees will also allow for the increase of nutrient filtration, benefiting the tributaries that eventually lead to Lake Erie, and providing protection for the wetlands and streams on site. Lastly, the project provides habitat for critical bird species, and other important native plants and wildlife documented on the property.

Total Credits Issued: 5,362

• 2026: 5,362 credits issued

Total Credits Sold: 0

Total Credits Retired: 0

Total Credits Cancelled: 0

Total Credits Available for Purchase: 5,362

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 $101,220.81 per year, and $4,048,832.40 over 40 years.

• Rain interception (stormwater management) – 22,659 m3/year, $47892.46 per year
• Air quality – 1.56 tons/year, $3,853.78 per year
• Energy use – cooling (electricity) – 68,804 kWh/year, $9,639.50 per year
• Energy use – heating (natural gas) – 2,848,151 kBtu/year, $39,835.07 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.

Increasing access to green space ensures that surrounding communities can have space for recreational and cultural needs.

Protecting and stewarding a healthy forest continues valuable carbon sequestration, filters air and water pollutants, and offers a nature-based way to offset the impacts of climate change.

Existing relationships, including various hunting groups as well as the Buckeye Retriever Club, maintain access to this property for their community’s purpose. Geauga Park District also owns the property, allowing a meaningful partnership between GPD and Western Reserve Land Conservancy to grow.