Mast Reforestation Announces Successful Sell-Out of Biomass Burial Carbon Credits

Mast Reforestation Sells Out MT1 Biomass Burial Credits

Mast Reforestation has achieved a significant milestone by announcing the complete sell-out of its biomass burial carbon removal credits from the Mast Wood Preserve MT1 project in southern Montana. This notable achievement occurred less than six weeks after the issuance of 4,277 credits, following an impressive project timeline that compressed excavation and issuance into just nine months. The buyers include high-profile firms such as Bain & Company, a renowned global management consulting firm, and BMO, a major North American financial institution, joining earlier key participants like the Royal Bank of Canada and several others.

The credits were issued under the Puro.earth registry, representing the largest issuance to date under its Terrestrial Storage of Biomass (TSB) methodology. Bain & Company's Chief Sustainability Officer, Sam Israelit, emphasized the importance of high-integrity carbon removal as part of their strategy to tackle residual emissions. He noted that Mast’s project is distinguished by its dual benefits of effective carbon removal and meaningful recovery efforts in post-wildfire regions. Similarly, BMO's Chief Sustainability Officer, Michael Torrance, praised the initiative for offering innovative solutions to carbon markets while supporting community recovery.

Mast Reforestation has been gaining recognition for its innovative approach, recently named among Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2026. The MT1 project also received an A rating from BeZero Carbon, a distinction that less than 8% of non-nature-based carbon removal projects achieve. At the core of the MT1 project are over 10 million pounds of wildfire-affected trees, which are strategically buried in a carefully engineered underground chamber to ensure long-term carbon storage. This approach mitigates the carbon release that would typically occur through traditional pile-burning practices.

With a solid monitoring, reporting, and verification plan in place, the carbon locked away in the buried biomass will not contribute to atmospheric emissions for the next century, and existing studies suggest that this carbon could last even longer in such low-oxygen conditions. Furthermore, Mast is committed to advancing scientific research to better understand carbon accounting and the conditions of biomass burial.

The MT1 initiative marks a pioneering step as the first Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) project using the proceeds from carbon credit sales to fund direct reforestation efforts. As of April 15, planting has commenced, focusing on the recovery of areas severely affected by the 2021 Poverty Flats Fire, which made natural regeneration unlikely for a century. Mast plans to plant over 6,000 native conifer seedlings acquired from wild-collected seeds, sourced from local nurseries, aiming to restore the ecological balance in these fire-ravaged territories.

Grant Canary, CEO of Mast Reforestation, highlighted the importance of this sell-out, considering it a validation of a new financing pathway dedicated to wildfire recovery efforts. The swift process from construction to credit issuance showcases the potential for delivering durable carbon removal within months, offering it as a viable investment. Revenues are now being allocated for immediate restoration activities, thereby establishing a foundation for sustainable ecosystem recovery initiatives.

Looking to the future, Mast has identified a substantial 6.5 million tonnes of burned biomass across Montana that may be suitable for similar burial projects. The company is paving the way for a broader expansion of its portfolio, with plans to complete another project by 2026 and issue credits by 2027. Ultimately, Mast aims to deploy 150,000 tonnes of carbon removal annually by 2030.

The increasing recognition of biomass burial as a solution to manage fire-damaged and low-value woody biomass reflects a growing understanding of its benefits for fuel reduction and post-wildfire restoration. As a testament to this evolution, Mast has joined the Direct Storage of Biomass Coalition, contributing towards best practices and policy alignment in this important area of carbon management.

With the MT1 project now fully sold, Mast is actively engaging future buyers for upcoming projects and welcomes organizations interested in securing future offtake options. Media representatives keen on attending planting activities in southern Montana can also reach out for further information.

In conclusion, Mast Reforestation remains dedicated to transforming sustainable forestry and wildfire recovery into a significant movement, aiming to restore the ecological integrity of Western North America while addressing the pressing issue of climate change.