Founding Brief · April 2025
The Million Acre Project
Restoring the land, preserving it forever.
We are forming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a dual-track land mission. Rurally: acquire one million acres of degraded land and restore 99% to native forest — permanently protected through conservation easements. Over time, 1% (~10,000 acres) becomes high-quality, sustainably built housing open to all people. In cities: acquire abandoned buildings, vacant lots, and blighted urban properties and redevelop them as either affordable housing or permanent community green space — determined by the needs of each neighborhood. This brief outlines the full strategy, open leadership roles, and paths to get involved.
1M+
Rural Acres to Acquire
990K
Acres Reforested
10K+
Sustainable Homes
🏙️
Urban Sites Revitalized
~$80M
Carbon Revenue/yr
15yr
Full Mission Timeline
The Model
Why This Works
Most conservation nonprofits struggle financially because land is expensive and grants are competitive. The Million Acre Project is designed differently — as a financially self-sustaining enterprise from the beginning.
The Core Insight
990,000 reforested acres is not just an ecological achievement — it's a carbon asset worth tens of millions of dollars per year in voluntary carbon markets. Forests also qualify for federal USDA grants, conservation easement tax benefits, and ESG corporate sponsorships. The 1% housing component (10,000 acres), developed using sustainable, medium-density principles and a Community Land Trust structure, generates rental income and qualifies for LIHTC tax credits and HUD programs. The result: a nonprofit that funds its own land acquisition indefinitely, without relying on perpetual charitable giving.
The 99/1 Rural Rule
- 99% of every rural acquired parcel is replanted with locally native trees and shrubs — real, biodiverse forest, not monoculture pine rows — and permanently protected via conservation easements
- 1% (approximately 10,000 acres total) is developed over time as high-quality, medium-density, sustainably built housing communities open to all people, using a Community Land Trust model
- This ratio is both the ecological priority and the financial optimum — 990K reforested acres generates enough carbon credit revenue to sustain operations at scale while keeping the housing footprint minimal
The Urban Program
- Acquire abandoned buildings, vacant lots, and chronically blighted urban properties in American cities — targeting sites that have been neglected for 5+ years and actively harm surrounding neighborhoods
- Outcome A — Affordable Housing: Sites in housing-scarce neighborhoods become high-quality, energy-efficient, permanently affordable homes under a Community Land Trust model
- Outcome B — Community Green Space: Sites in neighborhoods with adequate housing but no green space become pocket parks, urban forests, community gardens, or stormwater wetlands — held permanently by MAP
- Community input determines the outcome for each site — residents and local organizations have a formal voice in every redevelopment decision
Why Texas First
- East Texas Post Oak Savanna and Piney Woods: degraded ag/ranch land sells for $1,000–$2,500/acre — far below national averages
- High ecological restoration potential: native hardwoods and pine recover well on former ranch land
- Favorable nonprofit and land trust legal environment; Texas Land Trust Council provides strong support network
- TDHCA (Texas Dept of Housing) administers LIHTC credits — a critical housing finance tool
Legal Structure
- The Million Acre Project 501(c)(3) — primary operating entity, fundraising, programs, public mission
- MAP Land Trust (subsidiary) — holds conservation easements and fee-title land; provides permanent protection
- MAP Housing CLT (subsidiary) — owns and manages housing communities under Community Land Trust structure
Path to Self-Sufficiency
- Year 1–2: Philanthropy and grants fund operations and first land acquisition
- Year 3–5: Carbon credits from pilot parcel begin generating revenue; housing rental income starts
- Year 5–10: Scale carbon portfolio to $20M+/year; reduce grant dependence below 40% of budget
- Year 10–15: $500M endowment + $80M+/year earned revenue funds full mission indefinitely
Action Plan
Four-Phase Strategy
Leadership
Open Roles
We are actively recruiting founding board members, advisory council members, and initial staff. All board positions are volunteer. Advisory roles are unpaid unless separately contracted. Click any open role to express interest.
Financials
Revenue Model
Target: 60%+ of operating budget from earned revenue by Year 10. The carbon credit engine is the foundation that makes everything else possible.
Get Involved
Express Interest
Whether you're interested in a board seat, an advisory role, a partnership, or just want to follow our progress — tell us about yourself and we'll be in touch.
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