Evidence-Based Forest News

This Week in Forest Finance, January 23

Grants fund Scotland’s "Lost Forest," NY forest projects, and Canada’s Ogoki Forest replanting, boosting biodiversity.

Title on white background featuring piggy bank and forests.
Opportunities for forests around the world!

Tree-Planting Subsidies Support Large-Scale Woodland Creation in Scotland, Including “Lost Forest”

In the past five years, aristocrats, corporations, and private investors, including the Duke of Buccleuch, Brewdog, and Gresham House, have received millions in public subsidies for tree planting projects across Scotland and the rest of the UK. The Duke of Buccleuch’s estates alone received £1.5 million, while Brewdog's reforestation initiative, "The Lost Forest," has been awarded over £1 million. Gresham House, a major investment firm, received £3.9 million since 2019/20.

These projects aim to support climate targets and timber industries, though some advocate for greater focus on community ownership and biodiversity. Landowners emphasize their commitment to sustainable practices and helping Scotland meet its environmental goals.

How can tree-planting initiatives ensure that both environmental benefits are achieved effectively and equitably?

👉👉Read more in the i-Paper

Funding Opportunity for New Forests on Private Land in New York  

Across the pond, another private land planting program has put out a call for proposals. New York State is offering grants ranging from $30,000 to $750,000 for private landowners, land trusts, and resource businesses to establish new forests on properties of 5 acres or more. This initiative aims to combat climate change, protect resources, and boost local economies by encouraging tree planting and habitat restoration. 

Costs are reimbursed after project expenses are incurred, and eligible projects include tree planting, deer exclosures, invasive species management, and more. Applications must be submitted through the Statewide Financial System, with awards expected in summer 2025.  

How can New York’s private landowners and organizations work together to create forests that enhance local biodiversity and climate resilience?

👉👉Read more from New York's Department of Environmental Conservation

WALD Innovation Facility Announces Grants for Nature and Climate-Positive Projects  

The WALD Innovation Facility has launched its first call for proposals, offering grants ranging from €750,000 to €1.5 million to support scalable, high-impact nature-based projects. Eligible activities include forest restoration, agroforestry, and wetland and coastal ecosystem restoration, all aimed at enhancing biodiversity and carbon removals. 

Applicants must provide at least 25% in matching funds and demonstrate technical and financial expertise. The grants support project activities for up to 24 months, with the goal of achieving carbon standard registration and securing private investment through the voluntary carbon market. Proposals must be submitted by February 13, 2025, at 5 PM CET.  

How can initiatives like WALD’s funding program drive innovation in restoration while fostering collaboration with local communities and Indigenous Peoples?

👉👉Read more in IUCN

Grants for Land Restoration Projects from the G20 Global Land Initiative  

The G20 Global Land Initiative is offering grants of $5,000 to $15,000 to civil society organizations worldwide for projects aimed at restoring degraded land. Eligible projects include activities such as reforestation, sustainable agriculture, soil improvement, and peatland rewetting, with preference given to ongoing efforts in developing and least-developed countries. 

The initiative, launched in 2020, aims to restore over 1 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030, supporting innovative and scalable restoration solutions. Applications are open until March 31, 2024, with funds disbursed beginning the same month.  

What innovative approaches could help accelerate global land restoration and involve local communities?

👉👉Read more on G20Land.org

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Invests $25 Million in Latin American Reforestation Fund

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has invested $25 million in The Reforestation Fund I, LP, targeting Latin America. Managed by BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group, the fund focuses on reforestation, forest conservation, and carbon credit generation, with guidance from Conservation International. This aligns with MOL's goal to remove 2.2 million tons of CO2 by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 through expanding nature-based solutions globally.

How can nature-based investments contribute to achieving global climate targets effectively?

👉👉Read more here

2BT Puts $900,000 in Reforestation of Ontario’s Ogoki Forest  

The Government of Canada has committed over $900,000 to Integrity Reforestation for a project to restore wildfire-affected land in Ontario’s Ogoki Forest. The initiative will plant 800,000 native trees across 450 hectares, rehabilitating ecosystems critical to woodland caribou, moose, and black bears. 

The project aims to create 40 local jobs while advancing Canada’s goal of planting two billion trees by 2030. This collaborative effort with First Nations, nonprofits, and the private sector highlights Canada’s dedication to climate action and biodiversity restoration.  

How can reforestation projects better integrate local and Indigenous knowledge to ensure long-term ecosystem success?

👉👉Read more from Natural Resources Canada

Edited by Chris Harris