SRP Partners with Southwest Biochar to Accelerate Forest Restoration

SRP has announced a unique partnership with Southwest Biochar in Eagar, Ariz. to purchase biochar, a carbon-rich product that is derived from organic material, which can be used by farmers to help improve soil health, increase crop yield, sequester carbon and improve water efficiency.

SRP has taken the innovative step of partnering with Southwest Biochar under a 10-year contract to purchase 1,500 tons of biochar per year, which will support the restoration of more than 10,000 acres over the life of the project by providing a beneficial outlet for small-diameter timber. By creating a market for the small diameter woody material generated by forest health projects, the partnership increases the economic and physical feasibility of forest thinning, which in turn reduces wildfire risk and protects watersheds.

The biochar will be provided to local users like farms, golf courses, and green spaces to improve agricultural practices, sequester carbon and improve water efficiency.

“This innovative partnership is the first of its kind in Arizona. Investing in our forest products industry supports forest restoration, which is critical to ensuring that we can reduce wildfire risk and secure long-term and resilient water supplies,” said Leslie Meyers, SRP Chief Water Executive and Associate General Manager of Water Resources.

The snowmelt and precipitation that falls in forests in northern and eastern Arizona provides resilient water to more than 2.5 million Valley residents. However, these forests are overgrown and in need of forest restoration to prevent catastrophic wildfires from affecting watershed health and reliability. Because forest restoration emphasizes removing smaller trees and brush in favor of leaving larger, older trees in place, much of the timber that results from forest restoration projects is not easily marketable.

“The forest products industry is a key part of forest restoration. SRP’s partnership with Southwest Biochar will help us utilize more material from forest restoration projects, which supports these efforts throughout eastern Arizona,” said Tyson Nicoll, CEO of Southwest Biochar Products.

As part of its 2035 Sustainability Goals, SRP is committed to supporting the strategic thinning of 800,000 acres by 2035 to help ensure reliable water for the Valley.

SRP is partnering with state, local and federal agencies (including the US Forest Service and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management), private businesses, conservation organizations and others to complete forest restoration projects.