Aurora Sustainable Lands

Big News: Aurora Sustainable Lands in partnership with Anew Climate is excited to announce a new, landmark agreement with TotalEnergies. This investment will support improved forest management practices across 20 of our forests in ten states - conserving critical carbon sinks, improving water and soil quality, and protecting biodiversity. Read the full announcement: https://lnkd.in/ghciQfDM

#DYK the gopher tortoise originated more than 60 million years ago, making it one of the oldest living species on Earth? While the species is threatened, there is hope - the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that 80% of the tortoises' potential habitat is in private lands managed for forest production, offering great opportunities for conservation. Today, this reptile finds a home in our Apalachicola property, and can count on us to protect its homeland for generations to come.

🌲Understanding Climate-Smart Forestry: Three Key Principles Climate-smart forestry is about managing forests to remain healthy and productive under changing climate conditions. At Aurora, this means employing methods that balance immediate needs with long-term goals. Here’s how: 1️⃣ Resistance: We improve the forest's defenses against change and disturbance. Here, the emphasis is on maintaining relatively unchanged conditions. 2️⃣ Resilience: We plan for some degree of change while keeping the current forest’s character. This is mostly done by retaining and supporting tree species that are part of the current forest (but may not be the dominant species) and are expected to fare better under climate change. 3️⃣ Transition: Sometimes, the best approach is to facilitate a shift in forest composition to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. This might involve planting species more suited to the anticipated future climate, helping forests transition smoothly to new ecological conditions. Our goal is to ensure that forests not only survive but thrive, continuing to provide critical benefits like carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and habitat preservation for years to come. Learn more about our approach: https://heyor.ca/IBWBMe

New research indicates that trees are significant absorbers of methane, a potent greenhouse gas - and are potentially removing 25-50 million tonnes of methane from the atmosphere each year. This discovery highlights an additional climate benefit of forests beyond their well-known role in carbon sequestration and underscores the importance of conserving existing forests. Read more here: https://heyor.ca/und3IW

Say hello to Aurora's new VP of Portfolio Management Mike Phelps! 👋 In his day-to-day, Mike leads the forest operations group overseeing operational activities across the Aurora portfolio and the forest systems team. Mike brings deep expertise in sustainable forestry having spent more than fifteen years in the industry. We are grateful to have him on board!

As the impacts of climate change grow, including stronger hurricanes, the bottomland hardwood forests in the Atchafalaya Basin - Louisiana's greatest climate asset - have never been more important. Located in the biodiversity-rich Atchafalaya Basin, Aurora's Louisiana Lowlands property is a prime example of how carbon credits can benefit both climate and community. Learn more in this article from The Advocate's David Mitchell: https://bit.ly/4d7U3tT

When you purchase our carbon credits, you're purchasing more than an offset - you're helping conserve critical habitats, keep air and water clean, and safeguarding forests for generations to come. Learn more about our credits: https://bit.ly/4cNrqSU

Say hello to Tasha Griffiths, Aurora's Sustainability Forester! In her day-to-day, Tasha directs sustainability strategy, impact reporting, and community partnerships, as well as manages our Forest Stewardship Council Certifications across our 1.7 million acre portfolio. We are grateful to have her on our team!

Recent "treesearch" from the USDA Forest Service confirms that the age of a forest affects how much carbon it can take from the air and store. Younger forests take in carbon faster, but older forests store more carbon overall. Aurora's management plans reflect the unique nature of each of our properties. We deploy strategic practices on a forest-by-forest level to maximize carbon sequestration and storage potential. Check out the research to learn more about the importance of both young and old forests in the fight against climate change: https://bit.ly/46fFTos

Last month, local consultants managing our West Virginia forests attended best management practices training with the West Virginia Division of Forestry. Attendees brushed up their knowledge on preventing erosion and sediment from reaching our streams and waterways when conducting selective harvesting — which is key to maintaining healthy habitats and healthy people.