Key Impact Points:
- Over 17 million trees planted on 30,000+ acres across the Southeastern U.S. since 2022
- Largest U.S.-based afforestation project on the Gold Standard® registry
- Secured major offtake agreements including Microsoft (8 million tonnes over 25 years)
Largest U.S. Afforestation Effort Reaches New Milestone
Chestnut Carbon has completed its third afforestation season, planting over 17 million trees across 30,000 acres in the Southeastern U.S., doubling the area of Manhattan. The company’s flagship initiative, the Chestnut Sustainable Restoration Project, is now the largest afforestation project registered under the Gold Standard® in the United States.
A New Model for Biodiversity and Sustainable Forestry
Chestnut is the first U.S.-based afforestation project verified through the Forest Stewardship Council’s Verified Impact program for Biodiversity Conservation. Its restoration approach prioritizes diverse, native species to build ecologically rich forests that benefit air and water quality and bolster wildlife habitats.
“We’re very pleased to continue consistent planting and growth of the Chestnut Restoration Project,” said Sarah Ford, Chief Forestry Officer at Chestnut. “30,000 acres planted is a significant step towards our goal of reforesting hundreds of thousands of acres by 2030 and this milestone highlights our commitment to revitalizing underperforming land with a long-term vision for environmental stewardship and community well-being.”
Carbon Credits Tied to Local and Global Impact
The company is undergoing Gold Standard certification to generate verified carbon credits for corporate buyers aligned with decarbonization targets. Among them are Microsoft—with a landmark 8 million tonne offtake over 25 years—and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team.
“This milestone is a fantastic illustration of how the carbon market can deliver for nature,” said Margaret Kim, CEO of Gold Standard. “Forestry and other land use projects have a critical role to play in delivering high-integrity carbon removals while restoring ecosystems and supporting communities.”
Local Roots and Economic Benefits
With key partnerships including ArborGen Nursery and DDK Forestry & Real Estate, Chestnut has embedded itself in local ecosystems and economies. In Arkansas, over 3,000 acres—11% of the total project area—are driving economic development through full-time and seasonal jobs. The company has also joined local business networks like the Morrilton Chamber of Commerce and the Conway County Economic Development Corporation.
Chestnut Carbon’s goal remains ambitious: reforest hundreds of thousands of acres by 2030, supporting climate, nature, and community at scale.
Related Article: How can we encourage sustainable investments in forest biodiversity?
