Community Biochar Program
Biochar in Northwest Washington
The Kulshan Carbon Trust Community Biochar Program (CBP) is the successor to our 2022 Biochar Pilot Project, in which we established proof-of-concept for biochar production and valorization across Whatcom, Skagit, & Island counties. KCT partnered with Whatcom and Skagit Conservation Districts to host a series of community workshops demonstrating low-tech biochar production using a Ring-of-Fire kiln.
Background
The goal of the Community Biochar Program (CBP) was to create an incentive structure that would drive biochar production and application by providing land stewards with the necessary equipment, tools, and training to engage in this vital work. Based on long-standing indigenous practices, backed by widely accepted science, and supported by experts, the CBP enabled community members to convert various biomass waste streams into biochar, as well as provided an alternative disposal method for forest fuel reduction, reducing wildfire risk. Once properly applied, biochar sequesters carbon, regenerate soils, and creates valuable eco-credits for voluntary carbon markets.
April 15th - Fire Safety Demonstration
KCT held a biochar demonstration for fire safety leaders in our service territory to engage feedback on best practices for biochar production to ensure safety and meet local and regional permit requirements during workshops, as well as distributed biochar production using Ring-of-Fire kilns.
April 25 - Cloud Mountain Farm Staff Demonstration
KCT hosted a successful training demonstration for Cloud Mountain Farm Center staff focused on low-tech kiln production and the benefits as compared to traditional open burns.
June 2nd - Cloud Mountain Farm Public Demonstration
This public biochar demonstration during the Cloud Mountain Farm Center Growers Field Day focused on bringing the agriculture community together around biochar production and its various environmental benefits.
June 21st - River Farm Demonstration
The demonstration at River Farms aimed to educate community members on the three main components of the biochar supply chain — Feedstock, Production & Application. Unfortunately, an earlier-than-expected county-wide burn ban forced the demonstration to be suspended until further notice.