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