We merge traditional knowledge with carbonization strategies to convert woody slash into biochar. The portable technology we utilize integrates seamlessly into land management, while hands-on training empowers stewards to enhance soil health and carbon sequestration.
We’re on a mission to awaken the world to biochar’s power in climate resilience. By transforming quenched coals into a vital resource, we enrich soil, protect watersheds, and drive sustainability. Join us in turning waste into value for a stronger, greener future.
Discover biochar’s potential in our Education Center. Access expert seminars, resources, and hands-on training through our upcoming Biochar Apprentice Program. Turn knowledge into action and drive sustainable change.
Our mission is to build a skilled workforce dedicated to reducing hard-to-access slash efficiently and safely. By doing so, we protect our ecosystems from both human-made and natural threats.
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
Education, Inspiration, and demonstrations training to understand, making, and applying biochar, for moisture and nutrient retention which sequesters stable carbon, improving local soils.
Tons of Carbon Sequestered
Communities Reached
Seminars
People Reached
By reducing slash and excess biomass into carbon, we are increasing resilience for nature to do what it does best! Our commitment towards minimal disturbance checks all the boxes for a bonafide eco-stewardship experience. Get involved, there is much to do!
An open above ground fire can increase the amount of BioChar by simply lighting a full pile from the top and watching it burn down engulfing BioMass until the flames are gone and a pile of red hot coals remain developing a thin layer of grey ash, then apply as much water as needed to fully quench to cold black BioChar. Rake out the pile of char as you quench to assure they are fully out & to avoid them reigniting from any residual heat. Now you have clean empty stable Carbon BioChar ready for enriched inoculation. If water is not abundant or available the coals can be smothered with dirt.
Using a pit will increase the efficiency producing more BioChar than an open above ground fire. There are dangers with starting a file pit below the surface, as root balls nearby can ignite and cause a bigger issue such as a forest fire. Therefore, its best to utilize a Kiln or Pyre, if the desire to make biochar arises, of which we primely advocate..
Dig a cone shaped pit 6 feet deep & 6.5 feet wide at the top. Once the initial pile in the pit burns down more fuel can be added at the rate it burns down until the pit is full and the flames burn out. Then fill the pit with water to fully quench. More water may be needed when you dig out the pit full of BioChar, as the pit itself can retain and radiate heat which could cause the char to reignite days later. If water is not abundant or available the pit can be covered with dirt to smother the coals.
Pit dug over 7 feet deep 3 feet wide at the base and over 7 feet wide at the rim. After one afternoon burning we filled the pit full of BioChar made from burning 8 large piles of Scotch Broom in the pit. The pine log that was added on top was not completely burned and will be added in the next burn to complete char.
Portable Kilns are the most efficient in that they convert a high percentage of biomass to make BioChar. Links for more information about various size transportable open air kiln designs:
Air curtain burners operate on Diesel motor to spin a air blower, they are portable units that require a CDL to operate in some states, including California. These units can fit large pieces of wood that convert a percentage of the biomass into biochar. These units fit in to large 1000+ acre project but have a smaller conversion ratios verses the above methods. We see the value in these machines to scale up reduction to conversion for those looking to make an impact verses normal slash to burn procedures. Similar apparatuses such as the Tigercat (Carbonizer) perform similar conversion percentages.
KOrganics LLC
Delivering high quality enhanced efficiency fertilizers with superior vegetative growth. KO is highly committed to generating the finest carbon enrichment liquids, utilize native biological collections to make a truly unique indigenous product, exploring methods to enrich any carbon product regardless of its quality. This lead to the vision and value of biochar on-site coupled with biological enrichment from native species as corner stone of their operation.
BIOCHARMA
Our mission is to educate people and farmers about how to make biochar. Understanding the benefits of how it increases the soils ability to retain water, allowing forests to increase growth while reducing fire hazards.
Camp Fire Restoration Project
Beginning with the Camp Fire in 2018 and with the additional devastation of 2020’s North Complex/ Bear Fire and 2021’s massive Dixie Fire, our area continues to be at the forefront of climate change, and in dire need of ecosystem healing. Most of us agree that all these dots connect. All the components of life on Earth are interwoven, and so too are the reasons we find ourselves in this unprecedented ecological era. We are devoted to learning more about what is possible as humans interacting with this beautiful planet, and understanding as best we can how to live in cooperation with natural systems. We hope to serve as a conduit for knowledge and healing, and an avenue for active community resilience.
Butte County Fire Safe Council
Our mission is to provide safety in Butte County through wildfire hazard education, mitigation, and wildfire recovery.
Tree Of life BioTechnology
After months of research and due diligence as to the best company overall in the large scale production and industrial ready scalability of both high quality BioChar as well as the manufacturing of the hardware and software to do so, and immense practical “know how”, Tree of Life Biotech took a strategic decision to partner with BioChar Now, LLC. and leverage the many achievements and milestones which it has reached over the past 12 years. These achievements include 16 issued patents, and certifications including ISO, US-EPA, USDA Bio-preferred, CEPA (Canada), OMRI (Organic Certification), and Israeli Ministry of Agriculture. We also have the ability to offer and sell Carbon Credits.
Old Durham Wood
Northern California's largest public wood lot.
Paradise Ridge Fire Safe Council
The Paradise Ridge Fire Safe Council is an organization of ridge community members dedicated to educating the community on wildfire preparedness, increasing awareness of fire risks, reducing wildland fuel and developing preparations for other natural disasters.
Sierra Streams Institute
A watershed monitoring, research, and restoration group based in Nevada City, California, in the Sierra Nevada foothills. We believe science is a tool and process that can be embraced and used by all members of our community to empower informed decision making.
Your Contribution assists our carbon sequestering goals, and so much more! Donations guarantee more carbon is produced and left where it's needed most. Help put us to work! All donations are guaranteed a carbon receipt with a unique number applied to our biochar projects. A debrief of what was done will be supplied once your unique ticket is applied. Learn about our Carbon Exchange.