The Climate Trust, a nonprofit focused on carbon markets, has finalized a $2 million investment in two grassland conservation projects in Southeast Montana. This investment, made alongside Inlandsis Fund, a carbon finance fund, will help preserve nearly 38,000 acres of land.
Supporting Ranch Management and Soil Carbon Storage
The funds will support critical activities such as ranch management, permanent protection of rangelands, and soil carbon storage. These projects are part of The Climate Trust’s Grassland Conservation Carbon Program, which incentivizes ranchers for preserving carbon in the soil.
A Historic Partnership and Carbon Impact
This marks The Climate Trust’s fifth grassland investment and its first collaboration with Inlandsis Fund. David Moffat, Managing Director of Inlandsis Fund, expressed his excitement about supporting this effort. He stated that working with The Climate Trust was especially meaningful to him, as their team had introduced him to carbon finance over a dozen years ago.
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The projects are expected to permanently store 450,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide. The investment will place perpetual, no-till conservation easements on the ranch land, securing long-term carbon storage.
Protecting Grasslands and Ranching Communities
Grasslands rank among the least protected ecosystems in the US. Since 2012, developers have converted 32 million acres of rangeland in the Great Plains to other uses, which disrupts wildlife habitats. Investing in Montana’s ranches helps preserve these critical ecosystems and supports generational ranching families.
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Brad Hansen, Conservation Program Manager at The Montana Land Reliance, which holds the easements, commented on the importance of The Climate Trust’s investment. He noted that the funding is a vital source of support for conservation easements in the region.
Future of Grassland Conservation
The Climate Trust plans to scale its Grassland Conservation Carbon Program further as the threat of land conversion increases, particularly in the Northern Great Plains. This investment ensures that vital wildlife habitats and ranching traditions are preserved for future generations.
