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| Image courtesy of Chestnut Carbon official website |
Chestnut Carbon, a leading U.S. developer of nature-based carbon removal projects, announced this week the completion of its fourth and most expansive planting season to date. The company has effectively doubled its footprint since last year, with its total restored native forest land reaching approximately 70,000 acres—an area equivalent to 1.5 times the size of Acadia National Park.
Since the inception of its project in 2022, Chestnut has successfully planted more than 46.7 million trees across nine states, including recent expansions into Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. This latest operational surge, which saw 24 million trees planted between November 2025 and April 2026, reinforces the 'Chestnut Sustainable Restoration Project' as the largest U.S.-based afforestation endeavor on the Gold Standard® registry.
The scale of the project is matched by a rigorous commitment to ecological health. By integrating species uniquely adapted to local soil and climate conditions, such as the fire-tolerant shortleaf pine in Arkansas and the longleaf pine in Georgia, Chestnut is prioritizing long-term forest resilience. Notably, the company utilized 301,000 Funga-inoculated trees in this latest phase, a technological integration designed to restore healthy soil microbiomes and accelerate carbon sequestration.
Beyond its environmental targets, the initiative is serving as a significant driver for rural economic development. According to analysis conducted by Beacon Economics, Chestnut's projects supported 768 jobs and generated $48.8 million in regional economic output between 2022 and 2025. With an additional $7.4 million in tax revenues contributed to local and federal governments, the company’s expansion is expected to generate substantial economic momentum throughout 2026.
"This latest planting season represents a defining moment for Chestnut and for the future of nature-based carbon removal in the United States," said Brian DiMarino, Chief Operating and Commercial Officer at Chestnut Carbon. "Doubling our footprint while maintaining the highest standards of ecological integrity proves that you don't have to sacrifice quality to achieve scale."
As the voluntary carbon market continues to demand verifiable impact, Chestnut’s adherence to Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) standards and its status as the first U.S.-based project verified through FSC's Verified Impact program for Biodiversity Conservation establish a new benchmark for the industry. Through these efforts, the company aims to move beyond traditional offsets, cultivating biodiverse ecosystems that provide lasting air, water, and climate benefits.
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This report is based on operational data and official releases from Chestnut Carbon. For further details on their sustainable strategies and environmental stewardship, please visit