Dear faithful leaf reader,

The days are getting shorter, the leaves are piling up and the carbon markets are being dragged through the mud. Such are the cycles of life. 

This past few months, many of you have likely heard me say some version of “Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?” When wars are raging and it feels like the world keeps burning, it can be particularly tough to focus on the tasks at hand - but on those days it’s good to be in the hope and growth business. And there’s no business more hopeful, and truly no growth more accessible, then that which Nature’s seasons provide. We’re working day in, day out to support her growth, and help others do the same. More partners keep letting us know they believe in our approach to validating that hope, and keep stepping up to join us in that growth - ensuring there are more leaves to rake next year than this one.

We are thankful for it. We appreciate it. We’re here for it. Let’s never stop hoping, and always keep growing. 

Gratitude

• We’re thrilled to have begun working with the Edwards Mother Earth Foundation, who has stepped in to support our work on the growth of the Nursery Finance Facility. More on that rollout soon - for now just a note of gratitude for this like minded and generous new partner!
• Following on and complimenting our nursery assessment (supply side of the restoration and reforestation market), we are grateful for the support we've received to kick off a new research project to forecast the demand side (economic, policy and human) drivers for the tree planting and land restoration market. We'll be exploring how that demand tracks across geographies, implementing partners and investment opportunities. We're exceedingly thankful that this work will be in partnership with, and financially supported by, an expert foundation partner who we could not be more excited to be working with. An announcement on this will follow soon, and we'll look forward to knocking on many of your doors about this work in the new year. 

 Activities

• Mike’s panel on catalyzing investments in nature-based solutions at SOCAP23 was standing room only, highlighting the interest and momentum growing around the topic. Great seeing friendly faces and meeting new connections to cultivate
• BC & Western Forest Nursery Association meetings in Portland, Oregon was a fantastic chance for Harry to ground truth our nursery analysis and expand our network, as well as offering a moment to acknowledge the hard work of the RNGR team who pulled it all together, in particular Diane Haase who retires this year (grateful for your partnership these past few years Diane!).
• New York Climate Week was an action-packed affair, that feels like a year ago.  Highlights included a doubling-down on conversations about nature, blended finance and the need for a return to quality in the ecosystem services markets. Great talk, sooo much more implementation required - as always.

Team

• We are very excited to welcome Veenu King to the team, to take our advisory work to the next level. She’s joining after completing her Masters in Environmental Management from Yale and several years experience as a data science and technical research lead.

Research & Asks 

• The nursery assessment has continued to draw interest from the forestry sector - from both large organizations and, excitingly, from individual nursery owners themselves. The inbound is gratifying, and exceedingly helpful. Please do keep sharing widely. 

• In addition to our nursery work, we are refining a concept for a Private Landowner and Forester Lending Facility to help encourage more sustainable forestry projects across the country. If of interest, drop us a line. 

• Upcoming travel - Please let us know if you’re around or have folks we should say hello to: 

• ATL: 12/6 & 12/7 - talking to organizations active across the Longleaf range about supply challenges, and excited to make new connections
• CA: Harry will be in Southern California for late December to connect with some of our nursery and conversation partners 
• Missouri: early January - STL & The Ozarks. We are excited to be building partnerships in an area of the country with massive impact potential.

Enjoy these final weeks of Fall, we’ll look forward to seeing you in the bigger, better, bolder year ahead!