For the last 6 years, we have been working to accelerate carbon drawdown at scale by enhancing photosynthesis and slowing decomposition of woody biomass. As part of this project we created the first C4 equivalent trees, and trees with sufficient copper deposition in their wood to halve their decomposition rate. We just finished building a greenhouse capable of propagating over 100 photosynthesis enhanced aspens per month, and to enable verification of our best loblolly pine transformants. To keep the project going we need to cover the site lease costs, lighting, water, pots and other consumables, and to pay at least one full time helper. The trees we are growing in this greenhouse will be planted in a phytoremediation project at Taylor Yard next to the LA River, and at experimental sites across the Bay Area, to continue to scale our synthetic biology permaculture and biochar production sites. Within another 2 years we aim to be drawing down a significant tonnage of carbon with short rotation coppice agroforestry systems including these trees and producing biochar from their wood. We need at least $100,000 annually to persist in our space, and double that to establish all these projects as fast as the trees grow.

Please consider donating to support our work, and email [email protected] with any questions. Collaborative relationships are always encouraged!