The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation accelerates climate change mitigation efforts with $5 million in grants to six place-based, natural climate solutions (NCS) projects across the Pacific Northwest (PNW).
With this new funding, the foundation is tapping into the PNW’s diverse strength and heritage in conservation innovation, as well as the regional leadership, ecological stewardship, and historical knowledge of Indigenous peoples and local communities in the region. Projects will be conducted in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, British Columbia, and Idaho, with the majority led by Native American and First Nations partners.
Defined as deliberate, nature-based “human actions that protect, restore, and improve management of forests, wetlands, grasslands, oceans, and agricultural lands to mitigate climate change,” NCS can provide up to 37% of the cost-effective global CO2 mitigation needed through 2030 to stabilize warming to below 2°C. In the United States, NCS have the potential to mitigate up to 21% of net annual emissions.
“We are in a critical window where natural climate solutions have immense potential to accelerate climate change mitigation efforts while also providing key biodiversity and human well-being co-benefits,” said Yuta Masuda, director of science for the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and co-author of several recent studies on NCS. “The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the world’s most transformative science and technology-based conservation efforts and policy innovations. These are high-integrity projects, bringing together some of the best talent and minds to tackle the unique challenges we face.”
Funding for the suite of grants totals approximately $5,000,000 over three years and includes the following grantees and projects:
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Bonneville Environmental Foundation: Working with local nonprofits and tribes across Washington and Oregon, this project implements beaver-based restoration projects that support watershed resilience and aids in climate change mitigation, addresses barriers to scale up the work, and advances research and practice on carbon dynamics in beaver habitats.
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Native Conservancy: This project advances a critical knowledge gap in the climate change mitigation potential of kelp farming by assessing carbon cycling in seaweed and quantifying climate, biodiversity, and economic benefits of Indigenous seaweed farming in Alaska. Through this work, the project aims to help resource-dependent coastal communities mitigate climate change, steward ocean health, and maintain Indigenous food economy. Farmed seaweed will be used for commercial purposes to support the local community.
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Nisqually Indian Tribe: This project implements ecological forestry in the Nisqually Community Forest (5,500-acre former industrial timberland near Mt. Rainier in Washington) to accelerate climate change mitigation, local economic opportunities, and ecological co-benefits; and serves as a model for other tribal communities seeking to lead in forest management.
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University of British Columbia: Collaborating with four First Nations in British Columbia, this project supports proactive forest stewardship that safely brings Indigenous cultural burning back to the land to meet cultural objectives, reduce wildfire risk, and restore ecosystem health and biodiversity. It will inform ongoing policy updates to laws and regulations in British Columbia that affect forest and fire management.
“We know that when traditional knowledge and modern science come together, our greater community can meet the challenges ahead,” said W. Ron Allen, chairman of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe. “This funding helps our communities better prepare for the significant environmental challenges we face ahead.”
In February 2024, the foundation put out a call for NCS projects across the PNW with an interest in hearing from diverse partnerships, including projects led by, or working with, Indigenous peoples and local communities. Over a six-week period, the foundation received 132 letters of interest that led to 38 proposals for consideration. An independent panel of science advisors facilitated by Science Philanthropy Alliance reviewed all NCS project proposals based on the predefined criteria. The panel included a diverse mix of third-party experts who represented a range of academic backgrounds, geographic locations, and conservation expertise.
“The innovative solutions needed to tackle the pressing environmental challenges ahead will come from the researchers and communities who know the land better than anyone,” said Lara Littlefield, executive director of partnerships and programs for the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. “This new funding builds on the foundation’s strong legacy of advancing science- and technology-driven conservation. It delivers essential resources to foster healthy, thriving communities that can live in harmony with the natural environment of the Pacific Northwest.”
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About the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation
Founded in 1988 by philanthropists Jody Allen and the late Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, the foundation works to enhance the arts and culture experience, mobilize young people to drive change, and advance science and technology solutions that address wildlife conservation, ocean health and climate change. The foundation also funds cutting-edge research in all areas of bioscience through the Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group.