BOONE, N.C. — The Appalachian Carbon Research Group (ACRG) — an interdisciplinary group of faculty, staff and students at Appalachian State University studying carbon dioxide emissions, carbon accounting and carbon offset possibilities —will host their second OFFSET (Offsets for Future Forest Stewardship and Education Together) Workshop thanks to a $3,984 grant from Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU).

The workshop, which is titled “The OFFSET Workshop: Developing a Forest Offset Protocol for Small-Scale Forest Owners,” is planned for early September 2018.

The proposed event builds on ACRG’s research and outreach efforts, and follows the success of the first OFFSET Workshop, which was held Oct. 6, 2017, on Appalachian’s campus.

“While the purpose of the first workshop was to provide a broad audience with an overview of the mechanisms for participation in carbon offset projects, the second workshop will target an expert audience to discuss a set of ideas for developing an offset protocol for small-scale forestry projects,” Dr. Tatyana Ruseva said.

Student researchers involved with the project include Erin Bishop Voss, of Chapel Hill, and Kayla Young ’16, of Mars Hill. Voss and Young are both graduate students in Appalachian’s Master of Art in political science program with a concentration in environmental policy. The program is housed in Appalachian’s Department of Government and Justice Studies.

The ORAU grant is administered by Appalachian’s Research Institute for Environment, Energy and Economics (RIEEE).

About the Department of Government and Justice Studies

Appalachian State University’s Department of Government and Justice Studies offers undergraduate programs in political science and criminal justice, and graduate programs in political science and public administration. Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, the department has over 600 undergraduate majors and more than 70 graduate students. Learn more at https://gjs.appstate.edu.

About the Research Institute for Environment, Energy and Economics

Since 2008, Appalachian State University’s Research Institute for Environment, Energy and Economics (RIEEE) has fostered interdisciplinary research on the environment, energy and economics, especially the areas in which these subjects intersect. The institute serves as an umbrella organization for three research centers: the Appalachian Energy Center, Center for Economic Research and Policy Analysis, and Southern Appalachian Environmental Research and Education Center. Additionally, the institute manages and supports App State’s student-led solar vehicle team, Team Sunergy — an exemplary model of the integrative and experiential student learning, leadership and innovation opportunities the institute seeks to foster at App State. Learn more at https://rieee.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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