Private landowners are often forgotten during our discussions on sustainable landscapes. These lands are often overshadowed by huge swaths of forest that are managed by government or large corporations. The legislation and tools available to private landowners are sparse and confusing. So, how do we give small private landowners the tools they need to contribute to a sustainable future? We pay them to do the right thing.
Resources
Sponsors
Quotes
06.17 - 06.22: “Forests are valuable for more than just what you can cut down and roll out of the forest.”
08.02 - 08.14: “Forestry is connected to everything in the world… from the houses that we live in to the food we eat to the water that we drink… It all ultimately ties back to forests in a lot of ways.”
14.15 - 14.21: “Timber is one of the only nature values that a lot of land owners get paid for.”
Takeaways
“Private landowners are where the climate economy and land management happen” (05.31)
Max is the co-founder and COO of NCX, which began 14 years ago with his undergrad friend to help landowners understand the value of forests and measure and pay for those values. Growing up in Kentucky, he spent a lot of time outdoors but it was only at university that he realized that “everything in the world is either grown or mined”, making him value land much more.
Discover the true value of your land (09.35)
Max shares that landowners can participate in many public and private programs to help cover the cost of planting trees, protect wildlife habitat and maybe even get paid for carbon credits. NCX helps landowners access nature-positive assets and develop new revenue streams for their property. Every land is different, and can have different use cases, and NCX helps simplify the process of uncovering those opportunities.
Money is not everything (13.20)
Max is transparent about the trade-offs of any land-related undertaking. NCX does not work with non-sustainable extractions, but believes timber harvesting is a part of sustainable forest management. It also helps landowners establish a frame of reference for other opportunities like hunting leases, AirBnBs, and corporate-sponsored carbon credits. While financial returns from the land are important to maintain the land, most landowners rank ROI lower than being out in nature, leaving a legacy for their children, and connecting with wildlife.
“Nature never stands still” (20.30)
Max elaborates on the different programs available for different categories of land use across different geographies, with varied terms of payment. He emphasizes that landowners should understand the timings, risks and rewards of each, given the ever-evolving nature of the forest. Movement is taking place to pilot mechanisms for payment to reduce risks, and NCX works to make land owning a viable option. Max constantly looks out for new programs and boils down the fine print for landowners.
The conundrum of net zero emissions (24.56)
Max explains that many large corporations are working towards net zero emissions by reducing emissions or buying carbon offsets by a certain date in the future. However, the change made by these declarations is debatable as many corporations are coming up on their goal date, causing many to not commit to net zero goals. Solar farms are another contested option, where they offer earning potential, but aren’t favoured by landowners over agricultural traditions.
Balance trade offs against your values and objectives (31.54)
Max loves helping landowners work out the best use for their land that aligns with what matters to them and find the best programs to support them. There is also the option of stacking multiple values on the same acre and potentially getting multiple revenue streams from it. Max explains the concepts of baseline and additionality in carbon credits, where one needs to be mindful of how purchasing carbon credits can actually reduce carbon in the atmosphere. Natural regeneration is a more accepted and supported option.
Everyone wants a healthier planet (46.14)
Max hopes that the resistance with carbon credits and natural regeneration is part of the growing pains of a new industry. NCX’s vision is a world where landowners own land that is fully and fairly valued for all nature-positive benefits it is providing. He believes that everyone wants less carbon in the atmosphere, more wildlife, and healthier soil, and NCX makes these values accessible and less confusing for landowners.
“Perfection is impossible” (49.17)
Max shares the different kinds of programs that support natural regeneration, where the best fit for landowners will depend on their preferences. Tree planting is more popular than improved forest management approaches at the moment. Max believes that having a humble learning mindset instead of a critical approach will help navigate complex forest dynamics. “All natural resource management is a question of trade-offs... but it is possible to make deliberate decisions about these trade-offs”, he opines.
“The more options there are, the more confusing it is” (57.27)
In an effort to help landowners find the best option and project developer for their land out of the many confusing options, NCX has begun offering free 1-1 consultations. Max believes the more options there are for landowners, it is better for the economy and ecological outcomes for the planet. While there is debate on who should fund which values, the government or corporations, Max points out that both are funded by people, through taxes or increased prices, respectively.
“Keep your head on a swivel” (1.08.08)
NCX works on laying the foundations of research and education to prepare for a future when fiscal responsibilities of different forest values have been fairly distributed by the powers that be. It is an exciting time with lots of change and NCX is keeping its focus on helping landowners make the most informed decisions. If you are a landowner, visit the NCX website to get a free initial assessment of your options.
Land wealth advisors (1.14.15)
NCX gets a commission fee from private project developers and are in the process of working towards government grants. This allows them to be unbiased in their suggestions to landowners and help them do what is right for their land. Max’s favourite part about his work is helping landowners align their land use with climate, natural and other values on the landscape and is excited about the developments in this space.
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