ROARKE REGENERATIVE LAND MANAGEMENT

Roarke specializes in forestry initiatives, with a specific focus on restoring commercially-logged land in the Northern United States as part of our continuing effort to balance global industrial needs with growth and conservation of affected ecosystems. 

Regenerative Land Management is our proprietary methodology, referring to our strategy of continual maintenance to ensure maximum ecosystem health and longevity. Roarke selects parcels of land that have been most affected by deforestation, or are otherwise barren, and begins a comprehensive process of rejuvenating the whole ecosystem–and when we say whole, we mean it.

It starts with gathering data–the most important of which is soil constitution and topography, which are measured and mapped to identify areas where soil quality has decayed enough to prevent growth or habitability by native fauna. Similarly, topographical data is gathered in order to map how the watershed effect manifests locally, allowing us to identify areas that may be over-watered, creating stillwater, or otherwise impacting the overall health of the ecosystem. After careful analysis, all these data points are synthesized into what we view as a comprehensive ideal of what improvements or alterations need to be made for the long-term independent success of the local ecosystem.

With our roadmap established, we then begin the process of removing problematic diseased, invasive, or dead biomass, clearing the parcel for the introduction of supplementary soils, pollinators, and trees. All biomass that does not present a threat to the environment is mulched, allowing us to reuse even the waste removed during our renovation. Similarly, any necessary earthwork is performed using native or neutral soil that does not alter the native species’ reliance or resilience. Existing pieces of the watershed effect may be altered in order to provide better coverage to a larger segment of the parcel, but will not be diverted in any way that violates either law or best judgment for the benefit of the surrounding ecosystem.

Trees are planted in a grid determined by an algorithm that maps topography and water sources, while projecting and accounting for healthy root growth, maximum umbra size and potential exposure to invasive infestations. Roarke forests are designed to thrive for the maximum biologically possible time, while providing enrichment to surrounding ecosystems via biodiversity and native pollinators. Similarly, Roarke forests are expected to succeed in propagation of the next generation of successful forest, with the intention being to ensure that all represented species are able to effectively reproduce into the next generation. 

After all these steps, Roarke parcels will be entered into the continued supervision of our management program, which monitors our parcels on a regular basis through in-person visits and remote supervision of reportable conditions to ensure the long-term success of the ecosystem. Roarke will complete supplementary visits as needed to perform renovations of parcels to combat the effects of natural disasters, infestations, or other unplanned damage. Our goal is to provide curative care to our own parcels, while providing palliative care to surrounding land through the tertiary benefits of abutting our parcels. 

For more information on our Reforestation Initiative, contact our press office at press@roarke.org, or by filling out the form here.

In addition to our own reforestation efforts, Roarke partners with private landowners to plant orchards, groves, and forests on unused land. These forests are often tailored to the needs or desires of the owners, allowing them to achieve personal goals for style or function while always increasing the amount of carbon dioxide sequestered by their land. 

This is our most in-demand service, as it provides a low-cost, or, often, entirely free way for landowners to have large-scale plantings done of fruiting or decorative trees. While some additional costs for fertilization, earthwork, or other preparatory services may be applied as necessary or desired by the private owner, our goal is to subsidize the maximum amount of trees planted through our own labor and supplies. 

Roarke also teaches basic care regimens designed to allow private owners to create continued success with their new orchards, groves, or forests. While private ownership means care falls to the owner, Roarke acts as a resource for advice, referrals, and volunteer help where available for the duration of the trees’ lifetime.

For more information on our Land Enrichment Initiative, or to inquire about enrolling your land, contact LEI@roarke.org with the details of your request. Please include property addresses if relevant, as a specific location can speed up our process significantly.

Roarke does not offer or endorse services that involve the short- or long-term pollination, harvesting success, or use of pesticides in any fruiting trees. All privately owned forests planted by Roarke must be maintained by their respective owners in accordance with their signed Agreement, unless otherwise noted in the Agreement. Failure to uphold the terms of the Agreement may result in Roarke seeking damages appropriate for efforts considered lost as a result of the land owner’s negligence.

We have a particular interest in the protection and encouragement of native endangered or threatened species. While some local and federal laws govern the propagation or cultivation of such species, those species that can propagated or cultivated legally become passion projects where resources are available. This extends to what fauna we feel we can nurture without compromising care, quality of life, or proper supervision of their effects on the ecosystem. 

We are currently focusing our efforts on colinus virginianus, also known as the Northern Bobwhite, a species we selected for its decreasing population and place on the IUCN Red List, which measures threat levels for endangered species. The Northern Bobwhite is a native for many of our United States planting locations, and acts as a natural layer of protection for our trees, eating termites, borers, and many disease-carrying ticks. You can sponsor a bird here, or consider a tax-deductible* donation towards the fund that supports our ongoing efforts.