Posted on Dec 26, 2022
Cincinnati Parks invests $1.1 million in a carbon-negative biochar project
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Crystal Courtney from Cincinnati Parks Division of Natural Resources says much of the plant waste from the city's parks is underutilized, and often left to lay in piles around Cincinnati's natural areas. That's why the Cincinnati Parks Board and Great Parks of Hamilton County are directing grant funds from Bloomberg Philanthropies toward a new biochar production facility.
Biochar is a charcoal-like substance created by burning plant waste and converting it into a long-lasting soil additive that can promote the growth of new trees.
The investment will create a biochar facility managed by Cincinnati Parks and Carbon Harvest LLC, a local biochar and soil improvement company founded by Sam Dunlap in 2021.
Dunlap says biochar can be added to soil to keep nutrients in the ground for much longer than regular soil or mulch. This can help plants perform photosynthesis more efficiently, allowing them to capture more carbon, making cleaner air.
Biochar is a charcoal-like substance created by burning plant waste and converting it into a long-lasting soil additive that can promote the growth of new trees.
The investment will create a biochar facility managed by Cincinnati Parks and Carbon Harvest LLC, a local biochar and soil improvement company founded by Sam Dunlap in 2021.
Dunlap says biochar can be added to soil to keep nutrients in the ground for much longer than regular soil or mulch. This can help plants perform photosynthesis more efficiently, allowing them to capture more carbon, making cleaner air.
Cincinnati Parks invests $1.1 million in a carbon-negative biochar project
Posted from wvxu.orgPosted in these groups: 
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Cincinnati
Posted >1 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."The $1.1 investment will launch a small pilot production facility that can fit inside a local park. Waste from local parks will go to the facility to be burned and turned into biochar.
It's a relatively simple process, but Courtney from the park board says Cincinnati will have one of the first dedicated biochar production facilities in the country. It's expected to be a self-sustaining project.
"Our goal is to produce enough biochar for city use for the 3,000-plus trees we're looking to plant each year. Plus, enough to sell to generate revenue to pay for the projects," Courtney said.
The parks board anticipates demand for biochar from landscape companies and other businesses in the Cincinnati area and beyond for its effectiveness. Ideally, the board sees the production site as a potential plus for local parks and a way to generate funds to put back into the community.
While a location for the facility hasn't been finalized, both Dunlap and Courtney say Mt. Air Forest will likely be the home for Cincinnati's first biochar production site."
..."The $1.1 investment will launch a small pilot production facility that can fit inside a local park. Waste from local parks will go to the facility to be burned and turned into biochar.
It's a relatively simple process, but Courtney from the park board says Cincinnati will have one of the first dedicated biochar production facilities in the country. It's expected to be a self-sustaining project.
"Our goal is to produce enough biochar for city use for the 3,000-plus trees we're looking to plant each year. Plus, enough to sell to generate revenue to pay for the projects," Courtney said.
The parks board anticipates demand for biochar from landscape companies and other businesses in the Cincinnati area and beyond for its effectiveness. Ideally, the board sees the production site as a potential plus for local parks and a way to generate funds to put back into the community.
While a location for the facility hasn't been finalized, both Dunlap and Courtney say Mt. Air Forest will likely be the home for Cincinnati's first biochar production site."
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Being in Wisconsin I would focus on a study showed that Biochar combined with manure derived from dairy has the sorption capacity for heavy metals like lead & other organic contaminants.
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