#United States #Climate Trust #Portland #Carbon Market #Forest Service

The Climate Trust Gains Significant Funding for Carbon Market Initiatives

In a monumental step toward sustainable forestry and climate resilience, The Climate Trust, a non-profit based in Oregon, recently announced that it has received substantial financial support from the U.S. Forest Service, totaling nearly $7 million. This funding, allocated under the Biden-Harris Administration's Inflation Reduction Act, aims to bolster The Climate Trust's innovative efforts in the carbon market, particularly focusing on underserved and climate-vulnerable landowners.

The financial allocation consists of two distinct grants that are set to implement two pioneering programs. The first, dubbed the Tribal Reservation Allotment Carbon Enrollment (TRACE), will receive $2 million aimed at developing a replicable forest carbon project. This initiative focuses on aggregating small land parcels owned by or held in trust for individual Tribal members, paving the way for greater access to carbon markets. As stated by Madeline Montague, Forest Carbon Manager at The Climate Trust, the challenge of including allotment lands in carbon projects has been significant due to their small size and fractionated ownership. The TRACE program seeks to break down these barriers.

"Our team is thrilled to support Tribal access to carbon markets in developing this first-of-a-kind project," Montague remarked. The impact of the Dawes Act of 1887, which fragmented large Tribal lands into individual allotments, has caused considerable difficulty in gathering these small parcels for carbon market participation. However, with TRACE, The Climate Trust intends to create a framework that allows Tribal members to engage actively in these markets, fostering both economic opportunities and ecological benefits.

The second program, Enabling Reforestation and Afforestation Success (ERAS), is backed by a nearly $5 million award. This initiative aims to improve forest management practices that bolster tree regeneration and tackle forest health risks. ERAS funding is directed toward regions known for their vulnerability to wildfires, particularly in the forests of Montana, Oregon, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan.

Victoria Lockhart, the Director of Reforestation at The Climate Trust, highlighted the critical role of this funding in supporting post-wildfire forest restoration efforts. Activities such as hazard tree removal and fuels reduction treatments in Oregon and Montana will be funded through ERAS, which are essential in enhancing forest resilience amid rising climate change threats. Additionally, in the northern states, the funding will enable protection measures against deer browse for seedlings, supporting the development of diverse and healthy forests that can store carbon long-term.

Both TRACE and ERAS are set to complement The Climate Trust's ongoing initiatives aimed at developing carbon credit projects in collaboration with landowners throughout the United States. This new funding represents a significant boost to their mission of employing the power of carbon markets to foster sustainable land-use practices that support healthier ecosystems and resilient communities.

Founded in 1997, The Climate Trust has established itself as a leader in employing nature-based solutions to address climate challenges through project development and financing. The organization is dedicated to three main focus areas: Reforestation/Afforestation, Grassland Conservation, and Improved Forest Management. By leveraging these grants, The Climate Trust aims to amplify its efforts in promoting climate-smart practices, thereby aligning economic interests with environmental stewardship.

To learn more about their ongoing projects and initiatives, you can visit The Climate Trust's official website. This new chapter in funding marks a promising advancement in the fight against climate change, with hopes that such initiatives will inspire further investment in sustainable practices across the country.