Nature For Justice

Africa: Funding provided to engage with governments and civil society to develop nature-based solution projects across Africa. Projects are identified at the incubation stage and engage local expertise as well as outside carbon experts, as needed. -1 project moving to pilot stage focused on smallholder agroforestry -3 priority projects in the advanced stages of design, covering peatland, forest & thicket restoration and management as well as agroforestry -11 new projects in the pipeline including reforestation, REDD+, agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, sustainable rangelands management, and blue carbon -5 other projects for pre-feasibility analysis, covering sustainable rangelands management, agroforestry, and regenerative agriculture. We also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Kenyan Ministry of Environment and Climate. We are in the process of creating a similar MOU with the government of Zambia.

Canada: N4J led in the creation of the First 30x30 programfocused on Indigenous-led conservationthrough a collaboration with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and Nature Focus Development (NFD). The First 30x30 program will co-create a network of Indigenous-led carbon projects to channel sustainable finance for Indigenous-led conservation and land management efforts that create jobs, protect biodiversity, and center Indigenous rights and responsibilities. The team was able to attract significant starting capital from a major Canadian bank. N4J is also part of the of the leadership circle of the Restore, Assert and Defend (RAD) Network focused on enabling conservation finance pathways rooted in Indigenous rights, responsibilities and knowledge systems.

USA: Farmer Inclusion in North Carolina: The team created the Farmer Inclusion program which now has engaged over 118 Black, Indigenous, and People of Color farmers in North Carolina. We are providing funds from a 5-year, $3.5 million USDA Grant to help farmers adopt regenerative agriculture practices and $600,000 has already been committed to 77 farmers. Vermont Conservation Planning: N4J is assisting the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board with stakeholder and engagement for statewide conservation inventory and plan to achieve the 30x301 and 50x50 goals with an emphasis on environmental justice and equity. The team will be conducting over 70 interviews, 25 focus groups, and a public roundtable to help get to consensus across Vermonts stakeholders.