Introduction Climate Change Resources Smarter Chemistry Engagement and Advocacy Appendix 2023 Environmental Progress Report 71 Supporting communities around In 2022, we supported efforts that span a breadth of the world work. The Conservation Fund is actively engaging and supporting land retention among Black landowners in Through our engagement efforts, we have the the rural U.S. South. Working to support and center local opportunity to work directly with those who have been organizations like McIntosh S.E.E.D., this collaboration addressing environmental injustice in their communities. helps landowners become more resilient to climate A range of organizations — from NGOs to startup change through workshops and trainings on topics like technology companies — share our goals across climate sustainable forestry. World Wildlife Fund is engaged at change, resources, and smarter chemistry. We evaluate the community level in developing alternative livelihood each opportunity to collaborate based on the potential to and other climate resilience projects through their Climate scale a proven environmental approach, test or pilot an Crowd program. Beyond Benign works to increase BIPOC innovation, or take steps to improve equity in communities representation in smarter chemistry by providing disproportionately impacted by climate change and students and faculty in minority-serving institutions with environmental dangers. When we partner with another training, resources, networks, and curriculum support. organization, we believe success hinges on close Frank Water works with communities in India by using collaboration on mutual objectives. To track our progress, technology to map local watersheds and monitor the we work with each partner to align on the metrics that health of water ecosystems. The China Green Carbon best reflect the unique contribution that each organization Foundation is working on innovative approaches to is making to its community. carbon sequestration, including developing and restoring semi-urban forests and strengthening management We value the opportunity to work with partners to practices. And Conservation International founded the contribute beyond our direct corporate operations — Finance Lab for Irrecoverable Carbon to create business outside our areas of expertise and sometimes in new models and new approaches for incentivizing the spaces. This is where some of the most vital work is protection and repair of ecosystems essential to meeting being done to support transformational change for global climate goals. communities. Our work combines both collaborative work and philanthropic contributions, which we determine based on each organization’s focus and their potential to effect change. And we recognize the importance of community-driven leadership on many issues by providing support. The Conservation Fund works to center local organizations, like McIntosh S.E.E.D., to support land retention amongst Black landowners in the rural U.S. South. In 2022, Black landowners from Georgia participated in workshops and trainings hosted by McIntosh S.E.E.D. on topics relevant to climate resiliency.