#United States #carbon removal #Montana #Mast Reforestation #Biomass Burial

Mast Reforestation's New Carbon Removal Initiative

In a significant step towards combating climate change, Mast Reforestation, recognized as North America's top post-wildfire reforestation firm, has successfully raised $25 million through a Series B funding round. This influx of capital will facilitate the launch of a groundbreaking project aimed at carbon removal through an innovative approach termed Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS).

The funding round has seen contributions from new and existing investors, notably Pulse Fund and Social Capital, alongside participation from the Series A co-lead Seven Seven Six. This venture promises to enhance Mast's ongoing mission of restoring forest areas devastated by severe wildfires across the Western United States.

What is Biomass Carbon Removal?

The new initiative will kick off with the introduction of the Mast Wood Preserve MT1 in central Montana. Here, carbon removal credits will be generated by burying unmerchantable, fire-killed trees on-site. This proactive measure prevents these trees from releasing stored carbon that would normally occur if they were simply piled and burned. Moreover, the project includes restoring roughly 900 acres of forestland that suffered intense burns during the 2021 Poverty Flats Fire.

Mast aims to provide a sustainable and durable solution for carbon removal while simultaneously supporting forest recovery efforts. In fact, this project is unique as it allows organizations to directly finance post-wildfire restoration while locking in carbon credits that can be retired by 2030. To ensure the project's credibility and effectiveness, Mast has submitted it for a BeZero rating, in addition to ensuring registration and future verification with Puro.earth.

Addressing Wildfire Aftermath

After wildfires, the affected land often presents a hazardous environment, leaving landowners with limited options for restoration. Often, the presence of dead trees compels many to clear the land and burn these remnants to reduce the risk of future wildfires, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and deteriorating local air quality. The MT1 project seeks to provide a more effective solution by utilizing biomass carbon burial as a method to sequester carbon efficiently.

Under a robust 100-year easement and stringent monitoring and reporting protocols, this specialized chamber, designed to be oxygen-limited, will halt the decomposition process of buried biomass. This innovative method is projected to stop carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions for a minimum of 100 years, with some studies suggesting a preservation capability extending as far as 3,000 years.

The Opportunity Ahead

In Montana alone, there exist approximately 2.3 million tonnes of dead trees from recent wildfires, highlighting a critical opportunity for substantial permanent carbon removal. Other technologies using carbon dioxide removal (CDR) are looking at this challenge as a long-term aspiration, yet Mast aims to tackle it head-on with concrete solutions.

The integration of this new carbon removal strategy with Mast's established reforestation efforts positions it to restore landscapes that were irreparably damaged by high-severity wildfires. The first phase of post-wildfire recovery encompasses the removal of burned trees, an essential step to pave the way for new seedlings.

Mast's upcoming operations will focus on planting indigenous species cultivated from seeds collected in the wild, adjusted to match the specific climatic and elevation conditions of the project area. This careful selection aims to enhance ecological function, increase biodiversity, and boost forest resilience.

A Collective Vision for the Future

Grant Canary, CEO of Mast Reforestation, pointed out the dual nature of wildfire-affected trees as both a risk and an opportunity. He emphasized the necessity of shifting towards a sustainable approach that not only manages existing hazards but also promotes positive environmental recovery through innovative techniques.

According to Tenzin Seldon, Founder and Managing Partner at Pulse Fund, supporting Mast's ambitious work in ecological restoration is pivotal considering the ongoing turmoil caused by more frequent and intense wildfires in communities across the region.

Amid the complexities of carbon markets, Mast Reforestation stands out by delivering tangible, measurable impacts. Their commitment to ecological restoration through the development of restorative carbon credits facilitates an opportunity for corporations to contribute actively towards environmental recovery.

As the climate crisis escalates, initiatives like that of Mast Reforestation exemplify how strategic funding and innovative methodologies can reshape our approach to forest conservation and carbon removal. Join the movement to support reforestation and learn more about investing in a sustainable future through Mast's initiatives.