Northern Cheyenne Reforestation Project
Expanding upon our existing partnership with the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, The Climate Trust is partnering with Northern Cheyenne Tribal Forestry to reforest up to 15,000 acres of forestland impacted by severe wildfire. Over the past decade, the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in southeastern Montana has experienced several severe wildfire events. These fires negatively impact the Reservation’s economy and the Tribe’s deep-rooted traditions. Restoring forestland to a productive and resilient state is a key priority for the Tribe. The Northern Cheyenne Reforestation project aims to re-establish sustainable, working forests while generating revenue that can help to replace timber-revenue lost with the loss of mature timber during these fires.
In 2021, the Richard Springs and Lame Deer fires burned over 50,000 of forestland, almost 1/3rd of the total forest land base within the Reservation that is managed for timber and other uses. The Tribe along with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and other partners, identified over 15,000 acres that require active reforestation. These areas are not expected to return to healthy forests without planting and other active interventions.
With funding support from the USDA, The Climate Trust is partnering with Northern Cheyenne Tribal Forestry to plant trees and re-establish a sustainable, working forest within the Richard Spring fire scar and other burned areas. Northern Cheyenne Tribal Forestry will plant these acres over the next 3 – 5 years, using planting crews staffed with tribal members, and seedlings that were grown by the Montana DNRC Conservation Nursery from seed collected primarily from within the boundaries of the Reservation.
This large-scale reforestation project will be registered with ACR and developed under the ACR methodology for Afforestation and Reforestation of Degraded Lands v1.2. TCT anticipates listing by 2028, and credit delivery by 2038.
*This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), under agreement number [NR233A750004G020].
Our Mission & Vision
As a nonprofit organization, our investments are driven by climate impact and put landowners first. We work alongside our partners to develop and fund projects that support grassland conservation, reforestation, and improved forest management strategies.