One of the main tenets of our organization is the dedication to the Management and Preservation of Earth's Flora, Fauna and Water Resources. Within this a primary Mission to preserve, protect and enhance the Forest Reserves, Refuges and Wildlife for which we are responsible using sustainable operating models. In accordance with this Mission, the MicroForest Program was devised to market several refuges. This is a concept where a Forest can be divided into units for marketing to the public.

Forests play an important role in regulating the world's temperature and weather patterns by storing large quantities of carbon and water. By destroying the world's forests we are accelerating the impact of climate change (global warming) induced by the burning of fossil fuels. In addition, we are depleting our store of biological and genetic diversity by destroying forest habitats vital to the survival of many species. Unlike global warming, the loss of diversity has not yet reached the popular press, however, its impact may be equally devastating. By planting new forest or protecting existing ones some of the damage which has been done can be reversed while better alternatives to burning fossil fuels are developed. Our Program offers individuals, families, corporations or other groups a convenient yet effective way to contribute to this effort.

An individual can mitigate the effects of global warming by striving for "carbon-neutrality". To become carbon neutral involves estimating one's carbon "foot-print" or total carbon emission (most likely in the form of carbon dioxide - CO2), and purchasing 'carbon offsets' to mitigate this emission to achieve a net zero emission of carbon.

Carbon offsets (typically measured in metric tons of CO2 equivalents) are traded through international brokers & retailers. Many activities can generate carbon offsets: wind farms, solar energy installations, hydro-electric, geothermal, and biomass energy can all create carbon offsets by displacing fossil fuels. Other types of offset include those derived from improvement in energy efficiency or from carbon sequestration projects such as reforestation which remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and lock it away.

For a Forest to be an effective carbon sink the trees (or wood) which are grown must not be subsequently destroyed by burning or natural decay. If the trees are allowed to stand or are harvested for use in permanent application then the carbon may be locked away for 100 years or more. There are various models for estimating personal carbon emission. A very simple estimate of average personal carbon emission can be based on the population and total energy consumption of the country where the person lives. On this basis, a person in Latin America causes the emission of an average of 2.3 tons of CO2 per year, someone in Western Europa an average of 8.35 tons/year, while a person in the USA emits an average of 20 tons/year.

By photosynthesis, a tree can convert about 4lbs of CO2 into 3lbs of oxygen which is released into the atmosphere and 1lb of carbon which is stored away as wood. The rate at which CO2 is removed from the atmosphere depends on the growth rate of the tree which in turn depends on many factors including: species, maturity, climate, soil and management. In the tropics, trees can grow much faster than elsewhere and can therefore absorb CO2 at a higher rate. One estimate for the tropics suggests that 1 acre of specially designed new forest can absorb as much as 16 tons of CO2 per year for as many decades while also providing biodiversity and a habitat for wildlife. The CO2 absorption rates quoted for a typical new or mature forest are substantially lower than for this special forest.

Using the figures above for the specially designed new forest, a single person living in Latin America can achieve total carbon neutrality by sponsoring 580sqm MicroForest whereas an individual in the USA needs a MicroForest almost 10 times larger (about 5,000sqm).

Contact us for information on participating in our MicroForests Program.