Mature trees are biocarbon heavyweights
With CO2 levels surpassing safe limits, carbon storage may be the most important life-supporting function Northwest forests provide the planet.
Northwest Biocarbon Initiative

This Climate Solutions program is no longer active.

The Northwest Biocarbon Initiative elevates the essential role that natural systems play in reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. By galvanizing the region’s emerging biocarbon community to develop strategies that increase natural carbon capture and build a vibrant restoration economy, we are positioning the Northwest as the nation’s leading incubator for biocarbon solutions.

 

Biocarbon Solutions
 

 
A mother and her cubs at Anan Creek in Tongass National Forest

Why forests need to be enlisted in climate change actions

Since forests absorb and store vast amounts of carbon, protecting forests, especially old growth forests like those in the Pacific Northwest, should be a key component of any plan to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Forest

Supporting human and forest health

The health of forests and their owners are directly connected, an insight that has generated an innovative Oregon program to increase forest carbon.

Restoration

Restoring nature can help restore local economies

Good-paying jobs that produce multiple products in rural communities where good jobs have been scarce – This is the restoration economy.  In Oregon the restoration economy created 6,483 jobs, generated $977.5 million in economic activity from 2001–2010, a new report from Ecotrust says.

Do frightened grasshoppers increase carbon storage in grasslands?

Do frightened grasshoppers increase carbon storage in grasslands?  It appears the answer is yes, according to Yale Forestry School research. But the reason for this phenomenon might not be what you think.

The Peak District, England

British farmland missing huge natural benefits potential

Farm support programs that target only food production miss huge opportunities to generate natural benefits, a new British study documents.

No till agriculture

The growing buzz around the biocarbon benefits of farmland

The message is spreading that changing the way agriculture is done can draw heat-trapping carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere into farm soils to improve the viability of agriculture overall. 

Capturing carbon, saving money, enhancing regional communities

On August 1, the City of Portland graciously hosted the Northwest Biocarbon Initiative (NBI) along with our partners at Ecotrust and the 

beaver

Busy beavers building natural carbon storage

Outside of humans, beavers have more impact on landscapes than virtually any other species. Now a new study reveals those hardworking animals not only build dams but biocarbon storage as well. 

Biocarbon summit crowd

Biocarbon Summit a silo-busting event

A capacity crowd of 160 thought leaders and innovators gathered on June 10, 2013 at the University of Washington's Center for Urban Horticulture in Seattle for the first-ever Northwest Biocarbon Summit.  

Linda Dobson

Fast-talking innovators show the way to our biocarbon future

One of the special highlights at the Northwest Biocarbon Summit–for me and many others–was a remarkable series of “Speed Talks” by real-world Northwest practitioners who brought to life the full portfolio of biocarbon solutions.

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Upcoming Events

A quiet revolution under our feet

It’s happening in our urban and rural forests, in and around our buildings and streets, on our farmland, and in the seagrass meadows, salt marshes and mangroves along our coasts. Done right, it just might stem the tide of runaway climate change.

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