ICLEI USA & University of Maryland: High-Resolution Forest Carbon Monitoring and Modeling

Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (EST)

Format: 90 minute interactive webinar

High-Resolution Forest Carbon Monitoring and Modeling plays an important role in how state governments approach meeting their climate mitigation goals. Geospatial analysis enables states to create baseline maps of forest aboveground biomass cover, to monitor how those forest carbon stocks have changed over time, and to identify future carbon sequestration potential. These datasets enable natural resource departments in these states to identify priority sites for land management (e.g., reforestation, deforestation), to develop and deploy nature-based solutions to support those land management needs, and to evaluate the impact to the forest and its carbon sequestration ability.

Initially produced for Maryland, the products spearheaded by the University of Maryland are now available in several U.S. states, with national-global coverage in development. Though states have primarily leveraged the data so far, counties and municipalities can also make use of the data if they have the technical expertise and capacity to do so. If not, local governments can partner with their states to acquire products to support their mitigation efforts. Join this webinar to learn more about the High-Resolution Forest Carbon Monitoring and Modeling work packages and how to access them, how states are applying the datasets to mitigation efforts, and ways your local government can utilize them.

Participants will gain insights into:

• The types of High-Resolution Forest Carbon Monitoring and Modeling work packages
• Case studies from state governments that have used the data  to support climate mitigation
• Potential applications of the data in local government contexts and best practice approaches

Featured Speakers

• Facilitator:

  • Jadon Basilevac, Program Officer – ICLEI USA

• Speakers

  • George Hurtt, Project Lead – University of Maryland
  • Richard Birdsey, Senior Scientist – Woodwell Climate Research Center