A view of Peter Dana Point at Indian Township in Maine. Photo: Jenn Vargas
The Passamaquoddy Tribe is being recognized for addressing the effects of climate change. The tribe's 98,000-acre forestry project in Maine was the top generator of carbon credits in 2016, according to the Climate Action Reserve. The designation is all the most impressive because the effort just got off the ground two years prior, The Quoddy Tides reported. “The Passamaquoddy Tribe Improved Forest Management Project builds upon our sacred commitment to the protection of our forest resources and creates unique training and employment opportunities for our tribal members,” Ernie Neptune, the tribe's former forestry supervisor, said in a press release. “This project is in line with the sustainable forestry activities that we have practiced since time immemorial but is unique in how it allows forest landowners to benefit from an innovative program designed to curb carbon emissions.” The project generated 3.8 million credits last year. The tribe is able to sell those credits through a program run by the state of California that helps companies address their impacts on the environment.
The shaded areas show the Passamaquoddy tribal lands in Maine that are generating carbon credits. Source: California Air Resources Board
With credits going for $11 to $14, the tribe stands to make some good money but Chief William Nicholas wouldn't tell Indian Country Media Network how much. But about 484,000 credits were recently sold, ICT reported. Revenues are being invested back into the project and into other economic development ventures on the reservation, The Quoddy Tides The forestry project is manged by the joint council that represents the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township and at Pleasant Point. The tribe's partner is Finite Carbon. Neptune, the Passamaquoddy forestry supervisor, is now working for Tribal Carbon, a firm that is working to help more tribes market their carbon credits. Read More on the Story:
Tribal forest project helps slow climate change, generates revenue (The Quoddy Tides 5/12)
Passamaquoddy Tribe Named Project Developer of the Year (Indian Country Media Network 4/30)
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