WHAT MAKES OUR CARBON OFFSETS SPECIAL?
About us:
- Located in Northern Florida, The Lazy Tortoise Wildlife Refuge Inc, a 501(c)3 is maintained to sequester carbon and to increase biodiversity.
- The Lazy Tortoise Ranch is 328 acres. Once a sand pine plantation that allowed secondary growth to take over, the non-native habitats have been wood-chipped and are being replanted to mimic the habitats that existed prior to the occupation of Europeans.
- The refuge is currently being restored into a long-leaf pine habitat. Over 20,000 more long-leaf pine will be planted beyond the 10,000 planted in 2023. Native clumping grasses, forbs, and milkweed are currently being seeded.
- The property will be maintained according to a management plan that uses controlled burns, herbicides, and mechanical means to control nuisance plants and keep at least 30% of the groundcover herbaceous plants.
- Permit applications will be applied for to receive 300 to 600 Gopher Tortoise displaced by development. A keystone species whose burrows are known to provide shelter for over 350 other species.
- The entire property will be placed in a conservation easement and overseen by the State of Florida, Scientists, and Volunteers all committed to ensure this property sequesters carbon and has the highest biodiversity in perpetuity.
- A professionally managed endowment fund will be established that pays for the maintenance of the wildlife refuge according to the management plan in perpetuity.
- The Lazy Tortoise Ranch has 126,968.8 Tons of carbon offsets to sell that will retire the mortgage, finalize the restoration efforts, and fund an endowment that will pay for habitat maintenance in perpetuity. (3,871 Tons/C/Acre x 328 acres x 100 years = 126,968.8)
- Carbon Offset Credits will be packaged with original digital artwork created by RIVEN into an NFT and recorded on the blockchain creating transparency on the amount of carbon offsets sold.
CARBON STORED IN LONG LEAF PINE FORESTS BASED ON AGE
Estimating the Carbon Stocks at the Lazy Tortoise Ranch
In the 2024 study by L.J. Samuelson et al., titled “Ecosystem Carbon Stocks in Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine) Forests,” a comprehensive analysis of longleaf pine forests ranging from 5 to 87 years old was conducted. The findings revealed significant carbon storage capacity in these ecosystems. Specifically, forests aged 5 years stored approximately 71 tonnes of carbon per hectare, while those aged 87 years stored an impressive 181 tonnes of carbon per hectare.
Contrastingly, an independent evaluation by Landgate estimated the carbon storage at the Lazy Tortoise Ranch Wildlife Refuge to be more modest. According to their assessment, the Ranch, which is rich in biodiversity and natural resources, stores 0.961 tons of carbon per acre in the soil and 2.91 tons of carbon per acre in above-ground biomass.
This estimate is deemed conservative, particularly as it doesn’t fully account for the carbon sequestered in the grasses and shrubs and their extensive root systems. Nor do they include the rootlets and taproots of the trees.
The Ranch has been actively contributing to carbon sequestration efforts, having planted 10,000 long-leaf pines in 2023, with plans to plant an additional 20,000 in 2024. Additionally, the incorporation of native clumping grasses, forbs, and milkweed aims to establish a robust ground cover, further enhancing the carbon storage potential.
Management practices at the wildlife refuge are strategically designed to optimize carbon sequestration. These include the use of herbicides to limit woody stemmed plant growth in favor of herbaceous plants, employing controlled burns at a minimum biennial frequency, and mechanical methods to manage palmetto growth. Furthermore, a conservation easement will ensure the protection and proper maintenance of the trees and habitats in accordance with a carefully devised management plan, securing the ongoing accumulation of plant carbon stocks.
Based on Landgate’s combined estimate of soil and above-ground carbon stocks (3.871 tons per acre), and applying this to the entire 328-acre Ranch, the projected carbon offsets over a 100-year period are calculated to be 126,968.8 tons of carbon. This calculation follows the formula: 328 acres x 3.871 tons/acre x 100 years = 126,968.8 tons of sequestered carbon.
Given the data from Samuelson et al., it appears that the carbon storage capacity at the Lazy Tortoise Ranch might be significantly underrepresented in these projections, particularly when considering the potential of the land at the century mark. This suggests that the actual carbon sequestration capability of the Ranch could be considerably higher than the current estimates.
The Lazy Tortoise Ranch Wildlife Refuge will sell just the carbon offsets estimated in this method. The offsets are divided into NFT (Non-Fungible Tokens) that are recorded on the blockchain. As each NFT is sold the carbon offsets will be taken off the market. If only one entity purchases all the carbon offsets the buyer will be allowed to audit the entire site and the plantings so they can become compliant. The single entity will own all future offsets in perpetuity.
A diverse and healthy community of plants and trees creates the foundation for a healthy community of animal species. It is the measure of that diversity of plants and animals that creates a window where we can peer into our future.
Our Mission
To restore a diverse habitat that benefits endangered plants and animals, while creating recreational educational opportunities for kids and adults.
Our Values
We strive to go above and beyond in service of plants, animals, science, and humanity no matter the challenge. We aim to deliver our very best work every single day.
“The Earth is not required to adapt, life is.”
