Community
Join the Southern Appalachian region’s first collective and concrete pathway for addressing the climate crisis through positive change that you can see and taste.
Any contribution to local farmers and land managers who are championing carbon-sequestering farming practices is a positive contribution to a sustainable future.
By investing in projects managed by Carbon Harvest, you participate in increasing our region’s capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change; you support local sustainable working lands; and you foster a personal, healthful connection to vibrant food and fiber sources close to home.
As a Community donor, you will join carbon-conscious businesses and organizations in funding Phase 1 project(s).
Whatever your contribution, you will be kept up to date with Phase 1 project benchmarks, from the selection of projects to the planting of trees to the reports on project impacts.
You and your loved ones will also benefit directly from the project's successes, such as cleaner water, purer air, and higher food security in the region.
Living in a Warming World
The climate crisis is already impacting the Southern Appalachian region.
Impacts to Our Home
The Southeast is already experiencing more frequent and more intense weather events like flooding and drought, as well as volatile and variable temperatures. These events are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity.
Residents of the Southern Appalachians have deep ties to the land here, and our love for our region is openly shared.
No individual member of our community can prevent the climate crisis alone, but collectively, communities can make huge impacts to improve Southern Appalachian ecosystems.
Rewarding those who steward our beautiful Southern Appalachian farms and forests by funding conservation and carbon farming projects that will benefit the land and the community is a win-win for everyone.
You can offset your carbon footprint locally by participating in Carbon Harvest’s community-powered platform.
You, your children, and your grandchildren will be able to see, feel, and even taste the results if we act together now.
FAQ
Why is it important to fund carbon farming regionally?
Carbon sequestration in the soil varies a lot from region to region, and carbon sequestration in trees varies based on tree species and age, so we believe developing regional networks will be more measurable and trustable than what is possible with global offsetting.
For example, one can currently invest in tree planting in Nepal, but can’t see the project, understand if the people planting the trees are actually getting paid enough to do the work, and may not know if the trees get cut down someday, thereby releasing their stored carbon back into the atmosphere.
A regional framework can be more accountable because participants can see the projects come to life, potentially buy nuts or fruit from the trees when they are fully mature, and take part in building real-time data about how the soils and trees in their region are actually sequestering carbon.
How many projects will my contribution support?
The number of projects and the scale for Phase 1 will depend on many factors. We will select 1 or more projects based on design budget, phase 1 goals, and overall impact potential for the specific project phase. We will be in communication with donors as we determine these details.
When will we know the Phase 1 Project Selections?
The application period (time that land managers and landowners can apply through the RFP) is June 1- August 1. We hope to conduct interviews with applicants and select projects by early to mid-autumn, 2022. Selections will be announced via email, and be listed on the Carbon Harvest website.
After selections, how long will the process take?
Once selected, the design process takes roughly 40 hours. Once design is complete, fundraising can be completed, as many specific costs will be determined by the design plan. This is a beta phase, so we don’t have historical information on fundraising timelines, and we expect they will vary from project to project depending on budget and scope. We will be able to identify a funding timeline more easily once the design plan is finalized, and early funding interest has been secured. Obviously, the more community and business donations we get up front, the faster the process!
Will I have input on project design, implementation, and monitoring?
Community Donors do not have input on project specifics, however, you will be updated about design and implementation benchmarks. You may also have the opportunity to participate in an innovative approach to participatory monitoring.
Who can I contact for more information?
Send us a message and we will get back to you!