Bukidnon Kaamulan Carbon Project
An Indigenous People-led restoration project in one of the country’s largest ancestral domains
Bukidnon, Philippines
17,000-hectare target area
Matigsalug-Manobo partnership
30-year project lifespan
23,000
Hectares Expansion Potential
30+
Native Tree Species
10+
Agroforestry Species
≈ 3M
Projected VCUs
Restoring landscapes through forest, carbon, and livelihood recovery
The Bukidnon Kaamulan Carbon Project is a large-scale restoration initiative currently undergoing feasibility assessment in partnership with the Matigsalug-Manobo Indigenous Cultural Communities.
Located within one of the country’s largest ancestral domains, the project targets an initial 17,000 hectares with expansion potential of up to 23,000 hectares for agroforestry and forest restoration under the VM0047 framework.
Over its 30-year lifespan, the project has the potential to generate approximately 3 million VCUs while supporting coffee and cacao-based livelihoods and landscape recovery.
Ways To Participate
Support Community Programs
Contribute directly to local livelihoods, nursery development, and forest protection initiatives.
Have Questions or want to invest $100k+ in equity Opportunities?
Ecological Impact
Building a high-integrity carbon project from the ground up
Forest Restoration
The project is designed to restore degraded upland areas through native tree planting, reforestation, and long-term landscape recovery.
The initial target area covers 17,000 hectares, with expansion potential of up to 23,000 hectares. During feasibility, the project will identify which areas are most suitable for restoration based on land conditions, community priorities, and long-term ecological value.
Restoration will focus on rebuilding native forest cover, improving ecosystem function, supporting carbon storage, and strengthening the resilience of one of the country’s largest ancestral domains.
Agroforestry Livelihoods
The project brings forest restoration together with livelihood development through agroforestry species such as coffee, cacao, and other locally appropriate crops.
The planting model is designed to balance ecological recovery with community income. Native trees help restore forest structure and long-term carbon storage, while selected agroforestry species support food security, enterprise development, and local economic opportunity.
This approach does not replace forests with farms. It creates a blended restoration model where livelihoods and forest recovery can support each other over time.
Carbon Feasibility
The Bukidnon Kaamulan Carbon Project is currently undergoing feasibility assessment for long-term carbon project development.
This stage will evaluate restoration potential, community interest, land suitability, carbon modeling, implementation readiness, and the safeguards needed before any long-term project moves forward.
If the project proves viable, it may proceed under the Verra VCS ARR methodology VM0047, with alignment to high-integrity carbon and community standards designed to support transparent, community-led implementation.
Restoration Over Time
The project will move through a phased development process, with each stage shaped by feasibility results, community guidance, FPIC requirements, and joint decision-making.
2025–2026
•
Scope The Opportunity
Clarify the project area, review early restoration potential, identify safeguards, and align with Indigenous leadership and relevant institutions.
2027
•
Begin Project Development
If feasibility confirms viability, move into project design, carbon modeling, community planning, and preparation for long-term implementation.
2027–2030
•
Pilot & Planting Phase
Test the restoration model through pilot planting, native tree establishment, agroforestry integration, and early monitoring.
2030–2050+
•
Long-Term Restoration
Track forest growth, carbon outcomes, biodiversity recovery, livelihood performance, and long-term community benefits across the project lifespan.
Restoration shaped with Indigenous leadership
The Bukidnon Kaamulan Carbon Project is being developed with the Matigsalug-Manobo Indigenous Cultural Communities through FEMMATRICS, the Federation of Matigsalug-Manobo Tribal Councils.
Located within an ancestral domain of approximately 103,000 hectares, the project is being shaped through Indigenous leadership, community guidance, field validation, and coordination with relevant public institutions. Early engagement includes NCIP, PENRO, and CENRO, with next steps dependent on FPIC requirements, feasibility results, and joint decision-making.
Femmatrics
103,000 hectares ancestral domain
Local Communities
21 barangays
Matigsalug-Manobo ICCs
17,000 hectares target area
.webp)
Institutional Partners
3 public institutions engaged
Large-scale carbon restoration
The Bukidnon Kaamulan Carbon Project is designed to restore degraded upland landscapes while supporting Indigenous-led stewardship, agroforestry livelihoods, and long-term forest carbon development.
At full scale, the project has the potential to generate approximately 3 million future verified carbon units over a 30-year lifespan, while supporting native forest recovery, coffee and cacao enterprise development, biodiversity outcomes, and long-term landscape resilience.
Because the project is still undergoing feasibility, the impact pathway begins with careful field validation, community guidance, FPIC alignment, and institutional coordination. The goal is not only to restore land, but to build a carbon and livelihood model that can last for decades.
Help restore one of the Philippines’ largest ancestral landscapes
The project represents a major opportunity to restore degraded upland landscapes while supporting coffee and cacao-based livelihoods.
