In Nova Scotia, forests are potential wellsprings of biodiversity, sustainable livelihoods, and long-term climate change mitigation. Yet despite that potential, thousands of acres of forests are clearcut every year in the name of short-term profit. A company called Growing Forests is now aiming to combat that immediate threat, using ecological forestry and carbon offsets as an alternative to unsustainable practices. …Growing Forests has already raised $750,000 from 75 small investors… [and] purchased roughly 900 acres of forest from woodlot owners. …The model of Growing Forests continues the legacy of small woodlot owners by practising a model of ecological forestry meant to sustain harvesting for generations; income which is then used to help pay for the purchase of land. …Growing Forests is currently working through the certification process to offer offsets based on their forests, which would in turn contribute more money toward the purchase of land.