a new approach to sustainability
CARBON ONSETTING
WHAT IF YOUR COLLEGe or university COULD TURN STUDY ABROAD'S HEAVY CARBON FOOTPRINT INTO A FORCE FOR GOOD?
Our Carbon Onsetting program provides an innovative way for higher education institutions to diversify their carbon neutrality strategies. It fosters collaboration between colleges and universities and frontline communities in Ecuador, who are leading efforts in ecosystem restoration and sustainability education.
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How it works: Institutions invest in our carbon onset plans based on the number of students, faculty, and staff traveling or studying abroad. We offer various plans (see next page), but institutions can co-design a plan that fits their needs and budget. Larger investments qualify for exclusive agreements with community partners (see details below).
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Becoming Co-Restorers: By investing in our program, students and their institutions become “co-restorers” who partner with frontline communities to restore critical ecosystems, such as the Amazon Rainforest. Students actively address climate change and biodiversity loss by partnering with local “restorers” dedicated to transforming their lands and communities, while also advancing their institution’s progress toward carbon neutrality. Monthly reports and stories generated through this partnership deepen these connections.​
Leading the way: Students and institutions take the lead in pioneering a new approach to environmental restoration, and they demonstrate how much more impactful it can be when built on strong relationships with those who steward the land in key ecosystems. These connections foster lifelong commitments to climate justice while empowering students with a sense of purpose.
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Lifelong sustainability ambassadors: Looking ahead, we aim to inspire students to become sustainability ambassadors—advocates who spread the word, recruit more co-restorers, and multiply their collective impact. Together, we can catalyze a global movement, fostering a deep sense of responsibility and connection to the environment within university communities and beyond.
Our onsetting program complements existing offsetting initiatives or can stand alone.
For those already engaged in offsetting, adding our program encourages your students and institution to be part of the human stories hidden behind the offsets.
OFFSETTING
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Offsetting typically focuses on projects that only measure carbon mitigation and do not offer long-term solutions for locals. They tend to lack metrics on social impact or community engagement.
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Offsetting is a tool to maintain our way of life. Sustainability means compensating for our lifestyle without changing our mindsets.
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Offsetting focuses on balancing numbers through trades and transactions. The transactions overshadow the real-life connections with the ecosystems we protect.
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Offsetting can lack transparency and there are concerns about their effectiveness. Transactions occur in a market and significant costs are invested into third-party verification.
ONSETTING
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Onsetting supports local projects that measure social, economic, and environmental impact. They are mission & values driven and include metrics in income generation, education & mindsets.
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Onsetting encourages us to make life changes. Sustainability means forming meaningful relationships and changing our mindsets.
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Onsetting focuses on creating a new system that makes numerical balancing irrelevant. The real-life connections are converted into grassroots projects that we do together.
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Onsetting promotes trust and transparency based on bilateral relationships. Institutional partners can visit the local projects they support and see how funds are turned into effectiveness.
TAiLORED SUSTAINABILITY OPTIONS FOR YOUR INSTITUTION
We collaborate with each college or university to design a Carbon Onset plan tailored to their goals and values, selecting the type of restoration work and project that best align with their interests. While institutions typically invest through a single payment, contributions are divided into monthly installments, allowing students to experience their impact over time through monthly updates. The total recommended investment depends on whether the program is intending to balance the environmental impact of a semester-long or shorter-term program and the desired level of community engagement.
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Below are some of our popular restoration plans. If none of these meet your needs, we can work together to create one that aligns with your goals. Effective relationship-based climate action depends on the right partnership and investment for your institution.
SUSTAINABILITY plans
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Pachaysana’s Community Partners and Carbon Onsetting Projects
Exclusivity: If your contribution fully or partially meets a community partner’s financial needs, we can offer an exclusivity or shared exclusivity agreement.
Benefits of exclusivity include:
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A deeper restorer-co-restorer relationship with your partner community, highlighted on our website.
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Regular advising from Pachaysana to help you grow and share your stories (see next section).
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Access to pedagogical tools for your classes.
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Personalized annual reports with detailed insights.
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Social media posts ready for sharing.
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Free Unlearning workshops (see our website).
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Exclusivity starts with an annual institutional investment of $25,000
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Restoration of Amazon Rainforest in the Mushullakta Community
TOTAL ANNUAL BUDGET: $98,000
The Mushullakta community is one of 17 Kichwa communities in the ancestral territory of Rukullakta. Located in the Upper Amazon, Rukullakta has 100,000 acres of tropical forest and is adjacent to the Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park's 500,000 acres of protected flora and fauna, for which they are ancestral protectors. Mushullakta is restoring 370 acres of previously deforested land and protecting an additional 740 acres of primary forest, home to endangered species like monkeys, harpy eagles and jaguars. Over 40 individuals benefit socio-economically through this program. Expansion plans will extend restoration efforts in Mushullakta by bringing in more participating families and eventually across the 17 Rukullakta communities, impacting up to 2,000 people.
02
Restoration of Native Andean Ecosystem with the Pintag Amaru Collective
TOTAL ANNUAL BUDGET: $56,500
The Pintag Amaru collective is a group of Indigenous educators and leaders in the Andes that is focused on restoring their native Andean forests and re-storying their Kichwa Kitu Kara identity. They combat the legacy of toxic agriculture and cattle ranching through reforestation and water conservation projects, focusing on the protection of streams and rivers that come from nearby mountains. With over eight years of community education experience, they are now training families from around the greater Pintag area on sustainable agriculture, regenerative water systems and bioconstruction. Expansion plans will integrate neighboring communities, particularly those with significant paramo ecosystems, crucial for carbon sequestration and water production, impacting thousands of residents.
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Educating the Next Generation of Forest Protectors in the Amazon Rainforest
TOTAL ANNUAL BUDGET: $65,500
In Mushullakta, middle and high school students who want to continue their education must leave their community and live in nearby cities to attend school. Our model provides them an opportunity to remain with their families. 15 students are part of a community-based schooling program focused on forest conservation, sustainable practices, and cultural survival. They learn Kichwa, Spanish, and English, and engage in excursions to historical and biodiverse sites. The curriculum includes math, entrepreneurship, bioconstruction, regenerative agriculture, ancestral knowledge, music, dance and art. Expansion plans include sharing this model with other communities. Eventually we hope the Forest School will set a trend across the Amazon, fostering a new generation of forest protectors.
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Native Seed Collection, Storage, and Propagation with Jardín Botánico Las Orquídeas
TOTAL ANNUAL BUDGET: $36,000
Over a period of 40 years, Omar Tello and his family turned 17 acres of pasture land into native tropical forest, creating a giant botanical garden with a comprehensive collection of important Amazonian species. The garden doubles as a site for educating local communities and growing trees to reforest the region. Omar and his family travel around the Amazon Rainforest and collect seeds, store them in a climate-controlled seed bank, and propagate them to support indigenous reforestation efforts. Currently, they supply seedlings to over 10 communities. Expansion plans will increase seed collection from thousands to millions annually, boosting the survival chances for numerous species, and by multiplying seedling production, we can at least duplicate the number of beneficiary communities.
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Processing of Sustainable Forest-based Medicinal Products with the Amisacho Lab
TOTAL ANNUAL BUDGET: $28,000
Restorers Lexie and Luis have restored nearly 25 acres of native forest ecosystem and learned how to process medicinal extracts from native plants, trees and mushrooms. They are now leading the way to create environmentally and ancestrally sustainable livelihoods for Indigenous peoples in the Sucumbios province of Ecuador. Their educational program links forest conservation and restoration with income generation by focusing on the sustainable harvesting and processing of forest products like natural body lotions, medicinal (essential) oils and mushroom extracts. Expansion plans include bringing their education program to more communities and eventually developing a commercial network for sustainably harvested forest products.
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partners and projects
Evidence of change, tools for growth
Metrics your University Can Showcase
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Universities participating in the Carbon Onsetting program will receive reports with the following metrics depending which plan and community they partner with. These metrics can be used to showcase their commitment to sustainability and the impact of their efforts to its community of parents, students and other stakeholders:
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Biomass and Reforestation:
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Increase in Biomass: Demonstrate the increase in biomass through the growth of trees and other vegetation in reforested areas.
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Acres of Restored Land: Track the number of restored acres in both the Amazon and Andean ecosystems.
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Tree Species Planted: Document the variety and number of native tree species planted, enhancing ecosystem resilience and biodiversity.
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Biodiversity Improvement:
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Species Protected: Record the number of endangered and native species supported through habitat restoration and protection.
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Habitat Restoration: Report on the creation, maintenance and improvement of habitats that support a diverse range of flora and fauna.
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Wildlife Sightings: Monitor and report sightings of key wildlife species in restored areas, indicating the health of the ecosystem.
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Community Impact:
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Families Benefited: Report the number of families directly benefiting from the program, including those involved in restoration and trading organic products.
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Economic Improvement: Showcase the increase in income and economic stability for participating families through sustainable practices and product sales.
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Continuing Education Outcomes: Highlight the number of community members receiving environmental education, the number of certifications, and the expansion of educational programs to new communities. Share results from questionnaires related to the community’s growth, change and development.
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Youth Education:
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Students Educated: Count the number of students participating in the Forest School, as well as those participating in forest protector workshops and other educational initiatives.
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Curriculum Development: Describe and share new educational materials and curricula developed to support environmental education.
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Water Conservation:
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Water Projects Implemented: Count the number of water conservation and decontamination projects established.
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Water Quality Improvement: Measure improvements in water quality in streams and rivers affected by the projects.
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Community Engagement:
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Volunteer Participation: Track the number of visitors (including students, faculty, and staff) who participate in community-based restoration activities.
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Partnerships Formed: Report on new partnerships with local communities and other organizations supporting sustainability efforts.
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Cultural Revitalization:
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Traditional Practices Restored: Document traditional practices that communities claim are being revived through the program.
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Cultural Education: Measure the impact of cultural education on community members, particularly the younger generation, through questionnaires to the community.
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Involvement of Women and Girls:
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Economic Return: Highlight the return on investment from involving women in the program (research shows that for each dollar invested in women, there is a return of $3 due to increased productivity and economic activity - World Economic Forum, 2023).
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Women in Leadership: Track the number of women in leadership roles within the projects.
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Empowerment Programs: Report on programs or projects specifically designed to empower women and girls, enhancing their skills and economic opportunities.
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Trade of Organic Products:
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Volume of Organic Products Traded: Measure the quantity and variety of organic products produced and sold by the communities.
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Market Expansion: Report the growth in markets for organic products, both within the communities and externally.
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Ways to Grow and Share​
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We encourage our college partners to integrate the Carbon Onsets program into their classes, community engagement initiatives, and campus life, fostering institutional growth and community building. For partners with exclusivity or partial exclusivity plans, we collaborate with staff, faculty, and students to develop a tailored integration strategy.
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Integrate into existing classes:
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Develop class projects that strengthen your community partner relationship.
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Co-create case studies or curricula with your partner community.
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Incorporate community-led challenges or topics into coursework.
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Research opportunities:
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Align existing research initiatives with your community partnership goals.
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Collaborate with your partner community to conduct field studies or participatory research.
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Study Abroad:
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Participate in our semester-long program embedded in your partner community.
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Develop short-term study programs for immersive learning experiences.
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Community Engagement:
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Host virtual engagement projects like language exchanges or tutoring programs with local students.
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Plan alternative breaks or service-learning trips to your partner community.
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Knowledge Exchange:
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Invite community leaders to speak at classes, clubs, or campus events virtually.
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Offer virtual guest lectures from faculty, staff, or students for partner community schools or organizations
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Tell your stories:
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Use social media to highlight your partnership’s impact and inspire support.
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Create an annual event or symposium to celebrate and share achievements.
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REPORTING
Each month, students and institutions will read about the real human stories of sustainable action in key ecosystems such as the Amazon and the Andes Mountains.
Monthly reports include a combination of metrics and stories. Stories are told by local restorers, international students & interns (from Pachaysana’s Rehearsing Change program), Pachaysana staff members and guests who visit the communities. The reports include information on the number of seeds collected, saplings grown, trees planted, old-growth trees conserved, and acres conserved & restored, but those statistics will not be what is most remembered.
Students will feel more connected to the people who are dedicating their lives to changing how we live on Earth. They will be drawn to the interconnection of environmental and social justice and recognize how they come together in the form of cultural survival, community autonomy, access to education and the production of nutritious food.
SUSTAINABILITY plans in detail
Our program offers deep human connections, which can be further enriched by visiting the partner communities. We invite all co-restorers to Ecuador where they can participate in local restoration and and community engagement activities.
Description:
This plan funds ecological restoration projects that focus on the regeneration of native ecosystems. The partner community plants and cares for native trees, complemented with regenerative agricultural practices. This not only brings back biodiversity but also provides increased income, and improved nutrition and health for the local restorers.
Price: $8 per student per month.
Impact:
Activities carried out by the community:
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Collection of native seeds from near-by primary forests for propagation.
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Seed propagation in community nurseriesReintroduction of seedlings into secondary forests and deforested areas.
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Periodic care (and occasional replacement) of newly planted seedlings
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Regenerative organic agriculture based on ancestral indigenous practices
Benefits:
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Contributes to the recovery of local ecosystems - we improve biodiversity and efficiently capture carbon via soil regeneration and increased biomass.
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Increases family income - we provide monthly stipends that cover basic family necessities to all co-restorers.
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Enhances families' nutrition and health - we incentivize diverse and sustainable agricultural practices that result in healthier food and the cultivation of medicinal plants.
Plan 1: Native Ecosystem Restoration
Plan 2: Native Ecosystem Restoration and Conservation
Description:
In addition to the activities and impact in our “restoration” plan, this plan includes the conservation of native ecosystems. We place additional focus on caring for primary forests and protecting the remaining old-growth trees that are highly valued in the timber market.
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Price: $14 per student per month.
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Additional Impact:
Activities carried out by the community:
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Collection of additional native seeds for seed banks.
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Protection of 700 acres of primary forest with regular monitoring and evaluation.
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Protection of old-growth trees (over 100 years old) that live on family farms.
Benefits:
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Ensures the long-term conservation of key biodiversity areas by protecting critical habitats and large carbon reserves.
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Increases the value placed on regular monitoring of our primary forests.
Description:
In addition to all that is included in our previous two plans, this comprehensive plan provides restorers with continuous training in regenerative agriculture, bioconstruction, entrepreneurship, project development, leadership, conflict transformation, pedagogy and other skills that encourage them to become self-sufficient forest protectors. After years of experience in the training program, participants pass to the final stage, a “training of trainers” program. Upon completion the local restorers are prepared to train our next community partners.
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Price: $20 per student per month.
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Additional Impact:
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Activities carried out by the community:
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Regular participation in monthly workshops on ecosystem conservation, ecology, bio-construction, and regenerative agriculture
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Certifications in permaculture, project development and popular pedagogy.
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Intergenerational educational workshops in which elders apply learned methods to teaching community youth.
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Benefits:
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Increases feelings of belonging, abundance and self-worth - long-term evaluations demonstrate that continuing education changes the mindsets of restorers.
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Ensures the multiplication of knowledge and tools - to future generations and other partner communities that will continue these sustainability efforts in the future.
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Transforms how new generations view their territories and identities - high-quality education fosters deeper connections and commitments to their lands, languages and stories.
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Plan 3: Native Ecosystem Restoration, Conservation and Continuing Education
Description:
This plan supports the one-of-a-kind Forest School (La Escuela del Bosque) in the Kichwa community of Mushullakta. This middle & high school combines Indigenous knowledge and modern environmental education with the basics of Spanish, English, math and more. The school aims to rejuvenate both the community and the ecosystem through hands-on learning and cultural preservation.
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Price: $22 per student per month.
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Impact:
Activities carried out by the community:
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Regenerative Agriculture and Forestry: Students learn sustainable farming and reforestation practices, including how to restore soil health and biodiversity.
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Bioconstruction: Students develop skills in building eco-friendly structures using natural materials and traditional methods.
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Interdisciplinary Curriculum: The broad curriculum includes classes in math, Spanish, English, performing/visual arts, carpentry, cooking, nutrition and entrepreneurship.
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Intergenerational learning: Community elders are the principal educators.
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Cultural Education: Indigenous knowledge and practices are integrated across the curriculum and classes are taught predominantly in Kichwa.
Benefits:
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High-Speed Internet: elders and youth have access to global knowledge and resources, enhancing educational experiences.
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Forest revitalization: youth learn the skills and knowledge necessary to protect their environment
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Cultural survival: the model revitalizes cultural heritage and practices.
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Land management: youth are empowered to manage their territories and advocate for Indigenous rights.
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Holistic growth: youth become strong, self-sufficient leaders who are prepared to navigate a modern, intercultural world.
Income generation: local elders receive stipends as educators.
Plan 4: Forest School Education and Empowerment
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Schedule a consultation with us to create your tailored Carbon Onsetting plan. We're here to ensure a smooth and collaborative experience.
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CONTACT:
Chochi Iturralde
Humans for Abundance Program Head
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Daniel Bryan
Director of Education & Outreach
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- How to prepare for your consulation
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Key questions to reflect on to make the most of our consultation:​
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What is your current footprint? Consider the number of students you send abroad, where they travel, and their in-country impact. Think of others who travel—for example, faculty and staff for research or conferences.
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What is a fair financial investment? Consider the level of funding you believe appropriately balances the environmental burden your institution creates.
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What are your specific goals? Identify objectives or desired impacts that align with your sustainability goals.
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What is your institution’s sustainability story? Envision a narrative that goes beyond carbon neutrality—one that includes building meaningful partnerships with communities and engaging students, faculty, administrators, and others related to your institution.
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Review our community partners and restoration plans to identify the people and projects you’d like to support.
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Consider whether an exclusivity agreement with one of our partner communities aligns with your vision and budget.
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Need Help Bringing Others On Board? We offer free educational webinars to help you introduce the Carbon Onsetting program to your campus community. These sessions provide insights into the program and practical tools for advancing sustainability education.
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Let’s work together to create a program that not only offsets your carbon footprint but also onsets lasting connections and meaningful change.