As spring arrives, we’re reminded that resilience is rooted in adaptation. The past few months have brought both sobering challenges and renewed momentum for our mission at New Leaf Climate.
In California, the scars of a difficult winter fire season remain visible across communities and ecosystems. But even in the wake of destruction, recovery efforts are underway—restoration crews are returning to the land, and local partnerships are laying the groundwork for long-term resilience. These efforts reaffirm what we’ve long believed: the most effective climate solutions are those that work with nature, not against it.
Meanwhile, the policy landscape continues to shift rapidly. Although some federal climate programs have regained footing (for now) after a turbulent series of freezes and legal challenges, the broader picture is clear— while the public sector is essential in the fight, relying solely on public funding is a risky bet. Timelines are slow, priorities change, and vital work cannot wait.
That’s why we’re doubling down on our approach: unlocking private capital to power nature-based climate solutions at scale. In recent months, we've made meaningful strides—from expanding access to carbon markets for underserved landowners and designing innovative financing tools for wildfire resilience to advising nurseries and small businesses on expansion and modernization.
We know the path ahead requires persistence, creativity, and collaboration. But the momentum is real and growing. Whether you’re investing, partnering, or simply staying informed, your support helps move this work forward with urgency and impact.
Here’s to the season of renewal and to what we’ll build together in the months ahead.
With appreciation and purpose, Team New Leaf
Financing Small Landowners for Wildfire Fuel Treatment
We are excited to announce that with the Fall River RCD, New Leaf Climate Partners has been awarded funding from the US Forest Service to pilot an innovative fuel reduction treatment program for wildfire resilience with small forest landowners in Northern California
This program will support fuel treatment needs through prescribed burns, thinning, and waste removal on private, non-industrial forestlands and pilot a new carbon credit methodology designed for wildfire mitigation
We've teamed up with The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota to build a seedling sales and distribution strategy for Minnesota
Our role is to support theFarm & Forest Growers Cooperative (FFGC), a network of small private farmers coordinating to grow and sell seedlings needed for healthy forests and communities in the North Woods
FFGC is galvanizing local, climate-adapted genetics to help map and prioritize new seed collection capacity across the state
Sustainable Small Business Support in the Show Me State
We've also teamed up with local partners in Missouri to evaluate financing strategies that fit local project needs – from native grasses on grazing land to sawmill infrastructure to incentivize grassland transitions and shortleaf pine forestry
Thanks to the support and vision of the Community Impact team atEdward Jones, our work combines supporting and investing in climate-smart small businesses, with understanding bigger picture questions around the type, scale, and access to resources communities need to build resilient, sustainable and inclusive economies
New Research - Demand Assessment
We are excited to share Module 3, highlighting the market for agroforestry, including agroforestry practices, drivers of demand and impacts on seedling sales, in our2024 US Land Restoration Demand Assessment
New Leaf's research builds on our2023 Forest Nursery Assessment, which provided a comprehensive analysis of the US seedling supply chain
Field Updates
Our time out on the road exploring new projects and engaging with our friends, peers, clients, and investors continues apace:
Harry, Jake and Mike traveled to Patagonia, AZ to meet with a native plant nursery and project partners to develop a loan guarantee structure
The team hosted a strategy session in New York with key funders to lay out a collaborative and coordinated approach to 2025
Harry and Mike attended the Red Sky wildfire conference in San Francisco, CA to connect with funders and practitioners working on the wildfire crisis in the West
Harry, Greg and Mike attended a strategy convening in Boulder, CO on Building the Next Carbon Generation Carbon Market
The Team held its annual offsite in Hill Country Texas, where they visitedBamberger Ranch PreserveandRoam Ranch, and left inspired by the regenerative practices, and the leaders behind them
The California team climbed anclimbed an old growth redwoodoutside Santa Cruz, CA alongside an expert climber and conservation biologist to learn about carbon and biodiversity benefits of old growth trees
Mike visited Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp to learn about alternative approaches to juvenile rehabilitation and met with firefighters on the front lines of the Eaton Fire
The Quarter Ahead
We’re on the road again in the months ahead. Here are a few stops we know we’re making – give a shout and let us buy you a coffee, or two, if we’re coming to your town:
