“If someone wants my carbon, let them pay”: examining nonindustrial private forest owner (NIPF) interest in selling forest carbon credits under California’s

As a response to global climate change, policies have increasingly incorporated forest carbon offset projects into mitigation efforts. To this end, California has implemented the first US forest carbon offset program within a compliance cap-and-trade system. Improved Forest Management projects allow for the production of forest products while also providing landowners with an alternative revenue stream. Therefore, the inclusion of these projects may have important implications for landowner livelihoods and the health of their forests. Landowners have a variety of motivations for participating within this type of program. However, nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) owner behavior is particularly complex and motivated by multiple objectives, including economic incentives. This research aimed to identify motivations and barriers to NIPF participation within this carbon offset program. Although studies have provided information on landowner behavior within hypothetical markets, this research focused specifically on NIPF participation within California's newly implemented forest carbon offset program. A mail questionnaire was used to assess NIPF perceptions of forest project requirements. Most respondents were interested in participating in this program in order to receive additional revenue and to improve forest health, regardless of forest ownership objectives. However, participants also identified possible constraints in joining the market, such as the lengthy time commitment, high costs, and protocol complexity. The results of this study contribute to the growing body of knowledge regarding NIPF behavior within incentive-based management programs.