How much carbon is currently stored in the soil of a cultivated terrace in the hills of Nepal? How much additional soil carbon would be added by planting a forest garden store during the next several years? Does the addition of organic biochar based fertilizers further improve the soil quality? Are the carbon fluxes of forest gardens comparable to natural forests?  - Answers to these questions will soon be documented and shared by Ithaka, their international partners and contributing students using the newly established field laboratory in Ratanpur, Tanahun, Nepal.

The reforestation of the planet may well be the last resort to save humanity from climate change and biomonotony. If we don't start now to grow trees, even if only with small projects, the dust under the sky will cover the last blade of grass. In Nepal, when the disaster of the trembling earth struck, the women of a village in the mountains decided to plant trees and recreate life so that the lost generation will return. 10,000 trees were planted with biochar to re-fertilize and protect the soil, capture carbon and generate a stable income. These pioneers became the first village in Nepal to sell carbon credits from plants that grow food for their children and sequester carbon for the planet.