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Carbon Credits and Payments for Ecosystem Services
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Program level:
State
Provider:
WA State Recreation and Conservation Office
Benefits provided:
Financial
Land use:
Forest
Water-focused program:
No
Forest landowners receive payments for providing ecosystem services and capturing carbon through a contract to keep their trees living for an extended period.
Overview
Description:
The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) funding enrolls a landowner in carbon credit and other payments for ecosystem service market programs to the extent that activities generating the credits or payments do not conflict or interfere with the RCO funding purpose.
Through such markets, funded properties may be used to leverage the state’s investment to secure a source of income for stewardship and maintenance of conserved properties or future property acquisitions in accordance with RCO’s income use policy and Washington Administrative Code 286-13-110.
Contact the local grant manager for more info.
Eligibility:
If the landowner secures the activity generating the carbon or ecosystem service credits with a restriction on the title of the RCO-funded property or properties, the restriction may not do any of the following:
• Subordinate RCO’s deed of right or assignment of right.
• Conflict or interfere with RCO’s funding purpose and ability to enforce the terms of RCO’s project
agreement.
• Reduce or diminish RCO’s ability to pursue a remedy in the event RCO issues a determination of noncompliance or conversion for the project area.
If the activities generating carbon or ecosystem services credits are found to be incompatible or conflict with RCO’s funding purpose, the RCO-funded project area may be subject to a determination of non-compliance or conversion. Visit the website to see RCO Manual 7: Long-Term Obligations for more information on compliance, non-compliance, and conversion policies and procedures.
Financial benefit:
Varies per project
Contact information
Information last updated on July 15, 2025.
Planning Importance
Developing a forest, agricultural, or conservation plan helps identify and prioritize objectives for landowners. These objectives can determine what type programs to search for. Supporting organizations in your area often provide free consultation and planning.
Landscape Characteristics
See how your land fits into the broader context of regional conservation, ecosystem services, and working lands' values across the landscape through our interactive mapper tool. It could help you determine which program is a good fit for you!
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