This Week in Forest Finance, April 03
U.S. funding freeze hits rhino conservation; global reforestation efforts surge with new public-private partnerships.
Rhino Conservation at Risk as U.S. Funding Freeze Stalls Reforestation and Patrols
A freeze on U.S. foreign aid and conservation grants since January 2025 has triggered a funding crisis for rhino conservation programs worldwide. The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) faces a projected $1 million shortfall over three years, affecting forest restoration, patrols, and habitat protection in Indonesia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and South Africa. With 14 of 19 partner reserves reporting severe disruptions, deforestation, poaching, and habitat loss are all poised to surge.
Can rhino conservation survive without international support—or will funding cuts undo decades of forest and wildlife protection?
👉👉 Read more from the International Rhino Foundation
IDB Invest and The Nature Conservancy Team Up to Scale Reforestation in the Amazon
In a powerful new partnership, IDB Invest and The Nature Conservancy have signed an agreement to supercharge large-scale reforestation, regenerative agriculture, and nature-based investments across the Amazon. The collaboration will focus on mobilizing funding, empowering local communities, and unlocking private sector potential to drive sustainable growth and forest restoration throughout Latin America’s most critical ecosystem.
How many trees could this partnership plant—and how much impact can nature-based finance really deliver?
👉👉 Read the press release from IDB
ICE to Auction Carbon Credits for the U.S.'s Top Reforestation Project, GreenTrees
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) will host two auctions offering 500,000 Emission Reduction Tons (ERTs) from GreenTrees, which claims the top spot in U.S. reforestation-based carbon credit issuance. Each credit reflects one ton of CO₂ removed via reforestation, part of GreenTrees’ 133,000-acre effort to scale carbon removal through small and large landowner participation.
Just how many tons of carbon can reforestation remove—and who’s getting paid to do it?
👉👉 Read more in Fintech Futures
TPH Partners with Canada's Forest Trust to Launch "Smart Forest" Initiative
The Printing House (TPH) has launched the TPH Smart Forest™ in partnership with Canada's Forest Trust Corporation (CFTC), a new initiative aimed at enhancing corporate sustainability through reforestation. The project begins in New Brunswick, with plans to expand across Canada. TPH's Smart Forest™ model incorporates digital tracking to measure the environmental impact of its tree planting and preservation efforts, aiming to boost carbon capture, biodiversity, and air quality.
How much impact can a corporate reforestation project have on Canada’s environment and economy?
👉👉 Read the press release here
Colorado Awards $7M for Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Reduction Across 26 Counties
Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado State Forest Service have announced $7.04 million in grants for 37 wildfire mitigation and forest restoration projects across the state. With matching funds included, nearly $16 million will be invested to reduce fire risks, restore forest health, and bolster local resilience efforts. The funds—part of the Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation (FRWRM) program—support activities like equipment purchases, community capacity building, and promoting the use of wood from fuels reduction.
How much forest can Colorado restore before the next wildfire season hits?
👉👉 Read more from the Colorado State Forestry Service
Edited by Chris Harris
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