Heritage and ClimeCo Provide Capital to Restore the Earth Foundation

July 15, 2021 (Indianapolis, IN) – Heritage Sustainability Investments, LLC, a subsidiary of The Heritage Group and affiliate of Heritage Environmental Services, LLC, (collectively, Heritage), and ClimeCo joined together to provide capital to Restore the Earth Foundation, Inc. (Restore the Earth) to provide for the native trees and planting for the reforestation of 4,000 acres of the Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area in Louisiana.  The freshwater marsh area will be planted with native Bald Cypress seedlings. In addition to the sequestration of CO2, the project will reduce flood and storm risk to local communities by creating a first line of defense in the form of healthy forest ecosystems and restore fragmented wildlife habitats. The project is anticipated to create 800,000 Climate Action Reserve Forward Mitigation Units (FMUs).

“The benefits of reforestation projects like this reach far beyond the immediately impacted areas,” said Chad Peterson, President of Heritage Sustainability Investments. “The work Restore the Earth is doing not only benefits the environment, but also the people and businesses in southern Louisiana. Collaborating with ClimeCo on this project will help us make a lasting difference in the community and drive future GHG reduction.”

Restore the Earth pioneered the development of the Climate Action Reserve’s Climate Forward Reforestation methodology. The program provides a mechanism to quantify, verify and register FMUs, which represent emissions that are forecasted to be mitigated in the future, using rigorous and peer–reviewed carbon reduction project methodologies. FMUs will be marketed to voluntary buyers by ClimeCo to help fund future reforestation efforts in the basin. The program is designed to encourage companies and organizations to invest in projects that mitigate future greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

“Restoration of degraded lands is one of the most critical project types society can undertake to meet the challenge of climate change,” says Derek Six, Chief Business Officer for ClimeCo.  “Reforestation provides a clear and enduring GHG mitigation impact, and generations to come will enjoy the wide array of ecological benefits these projects create. ClimeCo is excited to be working with Restore the Earth and to continue to support their ambitious goals in the Mississippi River Delta.”

Ballard Spahr, a national law firm with more than 600 attorneys in 15 offices nationwide, served as counsel to ClimeCo for the project. Attorneys supported the formation and management of a special purpose LLC for the effort, prepared the transaction and financing documents, and advised on matters involving the carbon offset protocols and requirements for generating the FMUs.