Feasibility Planning for Pacific Northwest Blue Carbon Finance Projects - NERRS/NSC(NERRS Science Collaborative)

This project used the Verified Carbon Standard methodology and existing and newly-collected blue carbon data to demonstrate the feasibility of including carbon finance in funding strategies that support the restoration of tidal wetlands in the Pacific Northwest. It evaluated the viability of potential blue carbon projects in the Snohomish (Washington), Skagit (Washington), and Coos (Oregon) estuaries. The project advanced local stakeholders’ understanding of blue carbon-related ecosystem services and carbon finance opportunities, and identified previously unrecognized data gaps and next steps for blue carbon project development in the region. This catalyst project was funded by NOAA through the National Estuarine Research Reserve System Science Collaborative to advance collaborative science. It did not produce any new data.

This catalyst project takes the next step by demonstrating the feasibility of including carbon finance in funding strategies that support the conservation and restoration of tidal wetlands, eelgrasses, and coastal lowland sea level rise buffer areas in the Pacific Northwest. By evaluating the viability of blue carbon projects at two sites in Washington (Snohomish and Skagit Estuaries) and one in Oregon (Coos Estuary), the project team is advancing local stakeholders’ understanding of next steps for blue carbon management and financing opportunities for land management actions in coastal communities.

==Project Lead

Craig Cornu

Institute for Applied Ecology

(541) 260-2916

cecornu@gmail.com

@PNWBlueCarbon

==Project Type

Catalyst – Targeted investment for advancing collaborative science

==The project involved members of the Pacific Northwest Blue Carbon Working Group, including:

Institute for Applied Ecology

Oregon State University

Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Portland State University

Puget Sound Partnership

Restore America's Estuaries

Silvestrum Climate Associates, LLC

South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve

Strategic Collaborations, LLC

Terracarbon, LLC

The Climate Trust

VERRA

Washington State Department of Natural Resources

Western Washington University

The distributor does not assume liability.

None

Cite this dataset when used as a source: NOAA retains the right to analyze, synthesize and publish summaries of the NERRS/NSC data. The NERRS/NSC retains the right to be fully credited for having collected and process the data. Following academic courtesy standards, the NERR site where the data were collected should be contacted and fully acknowledged in any subsequent publications in which any part of the data are used. The data enclosed within this package/transmission are only as accurate as the quality assurance and quality control procedures that are described in the associated metadata reporting statement allow. The user bears all responsibility for its subsequent use/misuse in any further analyses or comparisons. The Federal government does not assume liability to the Recipient or third persons, nor will the Federal government reimburse or indemnify the Recipient for its liability due to any losses resulting in any way from the use of this data. Requested citation format: NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Science Collaborative(NSC).