Has anyone created a working business model that owns or controls/manages many smaller woodlots (perhaps with quick-growing or high-value trees) that might be transferable to an urban or suburban setting?
In addition to the obvious timber products, a forestry business - especially a visible one in a population center - can 'sell' environmental benefits to the local community (green space, cooling, moisture & runoff retention, parks, wildlife/songbird habitat, carbon sequestration, etc.). Such an enterprise might also be able to sell carbon-offsets or carbon credits on global financial markets.
Micro-forestry projects could be operated by community groups or community-minded environmental entrepreneurs. Micro-forestry could be a viable revenue source for non-profits serving local communities - and would be very interesting if they were catalyzed by land-grants from municipal governments.
