King County Forest, USA

King County’s forest program in Washington State aims to conserve 65,000 acres of existing tree canopy and natural areas, and provide more public parks, biking and walking trails, and open spaces. 

The project reduces carbon emissions by conserving forests threatened with development ("avoided conversion") and from improved forest management on private lands in the Cascade foothills. 

Current testing indicates that more than 1 million tCO₂e of emissions will be avoided over the project’s duration. 

In addition to delivering emissions reductions to take climate action (SDG 13), the project delivers other benefits:

• Life on Land: The project protects corridors for remaining elk, bears, and other wildlife in an increasingly fragmented landscape.
• Life Below Water: By enhancing water quality in rivers and lakes, the project protects critical salmon habitat.
• Good Health and Wellbeing: By protecting forest around urban areas, the project improves air quality and provides local communities with the diverse physical and mental health benefits of green space, and to spaces where children can play and learn outdoors.