Justice Conservation Fund: Empowering Communities to Protect Forests and Build Sustainable Futures

The Justice Conservation Fund (JCF) is a transformative initiative designed to protect forests while empowering under-resourced communities across the Southern Coastal Blackbelt. Built on a partnership between Dogwood Alliance and New Alpha Community Development Corporation, this fund is redefining conservation by placing ownership, decision-making, and economic opportunity directly in the hands of local communities.

At its core, the Justice Conservation Fund is not just about preserving land—it is about restoring justice, strengthening communities, and creating sustainable economic pathways rooted in environmental stewardship.

What is the Justice Conservation Fund?

The Justice Conservation Fund provides financial support to rural communities—particularly Black and Indigenous populations—to:

• Purchase forest land
• Retain ownership and control of natural resources
• Protect forests from industrial exploitation
• Develop sustainable, community-driven economic opportunities

These forests are among the most biodiverse in the United States, yet they face some of the highest logging rates globally. At the same time, the communities living in these regions often experience:

• High poverty rates
• Limited access to funding
• Systemic barriers to land ownership

The JCF addresses these challenges by simplifying access to funding and prioritizing community-led solutions.

Why the Justice Conservation Fund Matters

Traditional conservation funding models often exclude under-resourced communities due to:

1. Complex application processes
2. Slow disbursement timelines
3. Lack of support for land ownership initiatives

Benefits for the Fund

The Justice Conservation Fund fills funding gaps by:

• Providing accessible funding pathways
• Supporting community ownership of forests
• Encouraging long-term environmental stewardship
• Promoting equitable economic development

The Justice Conservation Model: A New Approach

The Justice Conservation model is grounded in restorative justice principles. It focuses on repairing historical harm while building a more equitable and sustainable future.

Key Principles of the Model

• Prioritizes communities most affected by industrial logging
• Addresses historical inequities in land ownership
• Centers Indigenous and Black leadership
• Protects forests and wetlands from exploitation
• Supports sustainable community use of natural resources
• Promotes nature-based climate solutions
• Reframes forests as community assets rather than extractive commodities
• Encourages economic development tied to conservation

Economic and Environmental Impact

The initiative challenges traditional assumptions about forest use by demonstrating that:

• Outdoor recreation generates five times more jobs than the logging industry
• Standing forests have 15 times greater economic value than logged forests
• Healthy ecosystems improve climate resilience by reducing risks from storms and flooding

This approach ensures that conservation is not only environmentally responsible but also economically beneficial.

Real-World Impact: Community Success Stories

1. Pee Dee Indian Tribal Forest (2023)

• Acquisition of over 75 acres of forestland with wetlands
• Expansion of tribal land ownership to nearly 100 acres
• Development of a cultural center open to the public
• Plans for an organic garden to support food security
• Increased tourism and cultural education opportunities

This project has become a symbol of hope and self-determination for the community.

2. Brittons Neck Community Forest – “Freedom Land” (2024)

• 305 acres of mature forest along the Little Pee Dee River
• Land historically tied to slavery, now reclaimed for descendants
• Permanent protection through a community trust

Key features of the land include:

• Old-growth cypress stands
• Five oxbow lakes
• Nearly one mile of riverfront

This project represents a powerful act of restorative justice, transforming a painful history into a legacy of empowerment and sustainability.

3. Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation Tribal Forest (Current Project)

• Purchase of 13.5 acres adjacent to existing tribal land
• Permanent conservation of ancestral land
• Protection from industrial threats such as wood pellet facilities

Planned developments:

• Minimal-disturbance educational trail
• Interactive learning stations about Cherokee traditions
• Cultural preservation initiatives

This marks the first project funded directly through the Justice Conservation Fund.

Funding and Financial Structure

• Over $1,000,000 has been raised to establish the fund
• The fund is housed in Optus Bank, a Black-owned financial institution
• Optus Bank is both:
  • A Minority Depository Institution (MDI)
  • A Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI)

This ensures that investments align with community-focused and equitable financial practices.

Organizations Behind the Initiative

Dogwood Alliance

• 30 years of experience in forest and climate protection
• Focus on community organizing and advocacy
• Extensive network across the Southern United States

New Alpha Community Development Corporation

• Over a decade of experience supporting underserved communities
• Focus on environmental and economic challenges
• Strong emphasis on community-led solutions

Together, these organizations are building a conservation model rooted in justice, equity, and sustainability.

Looking Ahead: Expansion and Future Opportunities

The Justice Conservation Fund is expanding beyond South Carolina to serve the broader Southern Coastal Blackbelt region. The demand for funding continues to grow as more communities seek to:

• Protect their forests
• Build local economies
• Preserve cultural heritage

The initiative is actively seeking support to scale its impact and reach more communities in need.

Deadline

Ongoing no fixed deadline

For more information and to apply click here

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