Investing in Forests with Pete Corke | S4E5: Regeneration Nexus

In this episode of the ReFi podcast, hosts Maya and Tereza interview Pete Corke, a regenerative innovator and visionary behind the indigenous-led project Kwaxala. The discussion focuses on transitioning from extractive to regenerative economies, specifically in the context of British Columbia's rainforests. Pete shares how Kwaxala aims to replace logging rights with the right to regenerate, creating economic structures that recognize and prioritize Indigenous land rights. The episode delves into the challenges of implementing this revolutionary business model, including legal and systemic barriers, and highlights the need for collaboration in the regenerative finance community. Pete emphasizes the importance of valuing and holding natural assets while connecting with native communities and using innovative financing mechanisms like protected forest shares and eco credits.

👉 ReFi Podcast: https://twitter.com/ReFiPodcast

👉 ReFi DAO: https://twitter.com/refidaoist

👉 Kwaxala’s Website: http://www.kwaxala.com/

👉 Pete's LinkedIn profile is here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-corke-82063a3/ 👉 Tereza's X profile: https://x.com/TerezaBizkova

👉 Maya's X: https://x.com/mayazdentzel

00:00 Introduction to Regenerative Economy

00:35 Meet Pete Corke: Visionary Behind Kwaxala

01:58 Pete's Journey into Regenerative Finance

04:00 Understanding the Threats to British Columbia's Forests

05:46 The Economic Structure of Extractive Rights

09:16 Creating a Regenerative Economy

09:35 The Role of Indigenous Land Title Holders

16:42 The Century Protocol: Quantifying Ecological Value

19:40 Scaling Regenerative Forestry

24:40 Partnership with Indigenous Nations

31:05 Legislative Achievements in Biodiversity Restoration

31:52 Challenges with Indigenous Relationships and Venture Funding

32:40 Philanthropic Funding and Government Collaboration

34:01 Economic Models for Conservation

35:38 Carbon Credits vs. Premium Eco Credits

36:59 Ecological Benefits Framework (EBF)

37:58 The Role of Web3 in Carbon Offsets

42:31 Tech Stack and Future Plans

46:46 Advice for the ReFi Community

47:28 The Bigger Picture: Regenerative vs. Extractive Economies

55:47 Rapid Fire Questions