Project Description
Green Shoots brings reforestation projects to life using NFTs.
Despite a growing cadre of investors interested in supporting carbon sequestration efforts, most “shovel-ready” small and medium-sized reforestation projects lack funding to get off the ground. We propose addressing this problem by developing artistic time-lapse photographic series that document reforestation projects’ ecosystem impact and act as a project funding mechanism through NFT sales.
Our pilot project will be on a 15-hectare parcel of land in coastal Ecuador, and we plan to develop a platform that enables this NFT strategy to support other reforestation projects around the world.
Project Benefits
This novel approach to connecting NFTs and reforestation gives NEAR community members the opportunity to support projects that are contributing to the fight against climate change.
Our longer-term vision for this project is developing a platform that gives reforestation project sponsors a way to support local artists and source funding to bring their projects to life. By collaborating with other projects in this space like the Open Forest Protocol, we can offer an alternative to existing carbon offset programs that favor large, corporate players and leave small landowners out of this multi-billion-dollar opportunity.
We plan to focus initially on supporting projects the tropics, since planting trees in these regions is a cost-effective, holistic approach to mitigating the harmful impacts of climate change. Increasing forest cover not only sequesters carbon and rebuilds ecosystems, but generates significant health and economic benefits for local communities.
Timeline
Our project exceeds the scope of this SputnikDAO grant, but we are seeking funding here to build an early community of collaborators and receive real-time feedback on our ideas. None of the NEAR awarded to those proposal will go to the project sponsors – all will be paid out to collaborators or fund other startup costs.
Phase I – Pre-Project Planning (2-4 weeks)
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Choose photographic collaborator for pilot project in Ecuador. This person will lead the artistic elements of our first project as well as advise on how best to deploy NFTs to create value for both artists and reforestation project sponsors.
- Deliverable: Artistic plan for pilot project
- $150 in NEAR reward for chosen photographer
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NFT structure guidance. Can NFTs to be updated as trees grow and new photographs are taken? Or will we need to send individual NFTs to an owner’s wallet each time a new photograph is taken? We need technical and strategic advice on these and other NFT-related questions.
- Deliverable: NFT strategy document
- $150 in NEAR reward for NFT technical expert
Phase II – NFT Sale Prep (6-8 weeks)
Develop Mintbase store and website with NFT project details.
- $450 in NEAR reward development
Phase III – NFT sales, Physical Improvements of Land (measured in years)
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Photographer travels to site for initial reconnaissance, first photographs. On this visit, we will also source local photographers who will be doing most of the periodic documentation of the project.
- $500 in NEAR towards photographer travel expenses
- $10 in NEAR reward each local photographer (2-3 expected)
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Execute our artistic and NFT strategies as outlined in the plan developed in collaboration with our photographic and NFT partners.
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Our current project plan shows most of 2022 spent developing physical infrastructure such as irrigation, drainage, power and paths, with tree planting beginning at the end of 2022. The NEAR granted for this project will not be put towards any physical improvements of the land, as those costs will be funded through a combination of NFT sales and project sponsor funds.
Phase IV – Platform Development
Leveraging the lessons learned during the pilot, we will begin development of the platform which can make this strategy seamlessly available to other reforestation project sponsors.
- No NEAR requested for this portion of the project
The total requested grant for this project is 150 NEAR
Conclusion
Reforestation holds great potential for contributing to our fight against climate change, but most projects remain economically infeasible.
Our model, which blends digital art and ecosystem restoration, addresses the initial funding challenges which are preventing thousands of small and medium-sized reforestation projects from getting off the ground.
These efforts together will not only reduce carbon levels in the atmosphere, but have meaningful impacts for the people and ecosystems where climate change poses the greatest risk.
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