Economic Opportunity for Tribal Nations
Indigenous communities steward 80% of the world’s biodiversity. Reservation lands and Indigenous-owned forests are home to vibrant ecosystems and healthy tree species. By managing forests and grasslands to promote the long-term growth of trees, grasses, and native plant species, Indigenous communities can generate revenue from carbon sequestration and storage. Projects that promote these environmental management decisions are called nature-based climate solutions. As plants grow, they breathe in and store carbon, reducing the concentration of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. By measuring the carbon stored on tribal lands and generating income from carbon credit sales, enrolled communities have been able to fully fund Land Back efforts, construct Tribal educational facilities, and continue developing community infrastructure.
What is a Carbon Credit?
A carbon credit represents one (1) metric ton of carbon dioxide (MTCO₂e) sequestered and stored within an enrolled project. However, ecosystems where carbon projects occur continually absorb carbon through photosynthesis, so not every ton of carbon in an area can be counted as a carbon credit. Instead, when a carbon project is developed, a team of forestry professionals prescribes a management plan for the enrolled lands. The plan will improve habitat health and increase carbon sequestration.
These management decisions, called interventions, produce measurable improvements in ecosystem health throughout the carbon project’s lifespan. At intervals throughout the project, the forestry team will assess their own work and compare the growth rates of trees, grasslands, and other species with those in unenrolled areas. This occurs annually, with an on-the-ground visit every five years to ensure accuracy. By making this comparison, the forestry team can determine how much additional carbon has been stored in the enrolled area relative to the unenrolled area. After calculating the difference, each ton of carbon stored in the enrolled area beyond baseline levels can be recognized as a carbon credit.
Not sure what a carbon credit is? Learn more here.
Centering Indigenous Voices in Ecosystem Stewardship
Traditional Ecological Knowledge plays a huge role in ensuring the long-term protection of natural spaces. Tapping into millennia of understanding with Mother Earth, we work hand in hand with tribal partners to prioritize community goals across all projects. When developing forest management plans to sequester carbon, we center all decisions on the tribal partners living on the land. Project priorities are set by a steering committee of tribal members in the enrolled community, guiding each step of the project toward a better relationship with the natural world we steward.
Additional Benefits of Our Work
Sequestering carbon is not the only benefit of pursuing nature-based climate solutions. Each of our projects provides measurable benefits to the climate, community, and biodiversity. Throughout each project’s lifecycle, we collaborate with tribal partners to foster a resurgence of reciprocity with the land. Each project uniquely impacts the local tribal community and native biodiversity to achieve tribal goals.
For instance, our project with the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa is helping to preserve critical habitat for moose. The project is also increasing watershed health for the local lake, muskrat, and fish. As the ecosystem heals, natural resource management decisions are being made to increase the wild rice (manoomin) yield for cultural harvesting. Not only is this project safeguarding forests and generating revenue for the Band, but it is also providing important benefits for the community and biodiversity on the land.