From Washington to the Philippines: Faith in Action for Our Planet
Through a unique partnership, the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia and the Episcopal Diocese of the Southern Philippines are turning carbon offsets in Western Washington into new life in the Philippines. Every donation funds vital tree planting projects, empowering local communities and healing our planet. Together, we’re building a sustainable future across the globe.
Learn more about our story in this short presentation.
Background: A Covenant for Creation
This transformative partnership began in 2012 when the Rt. Rev. Greg Rickel, Bishop of Olympia, and the Rt. Rev. Danilo Bustamante, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Philippines (EDSP), signed the Covenant of Caring for All Creation. This agreement pledged our dioceses to a shared mission of ecological stewardship and birthed our carbon offset program.
The initial success of the program led to its renewal in 2017, and again in 2024, demonstrating our enduring commitment. Around 2018, we were thrilled to welcome E-CARE, the development arm of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, as a key partner. Their invaluable expertise in community development and project management has significantly strengthened our collective impact.
The model is a powerful cycle of action and healing:
In Washington, the Diocese of Olympia encourages its churches and parishioners to reduce their carbon footprint and donate to offset any remaining emissions.
In the Philippines, our partners at EDSP and E-CARE transform those donations into tangible change by planting trees. They operate nurseries growing a variety of seedlings—including Narra (the national tree), mahogany, rubber, coconut, and fruit trees—which are then planted on church grounds, schools, small farms, and in open spaces.
This initiative directly heals land in Mindanao that has suffered from deforestation. Discover the complete list of benefits provided by this work in the section below.
Benefits: From Ecology to Economy
Healing Our Planet and Empowering Communities
The simple act of planting a tree creates a powerful ripple effect. Our partnership doesn’t just calculate carbon; it cultivates life, stability, and opportunity. The benefits are both global and local, creating a lasting legacy for our planet and for the people of the Southern Philippines.
Environmental Restoration
Climate Action: Each tree directly combats climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing clean oxygen.
Ecosystem Healing: Reforesting previously degraded land stabilizes soil, restores vital watersheds, and rejuvenates natural habitats.
Natural Cooling: Trees provide shade and contribute to cooler, more resilient local environments.
Economic Empowerment
Sustainable Employment: The program creates jobs in nursery management, planting, and forest maintenance.
Long-Term Investment: Trees like mahogany and narra are harvested at maturity, providing a crucial source of future income for community projects.
Agroforestry Development: Integrating fruit trees and cash crops offers sustainable food sources and additional revenue streams for local farmers.
Community Resilience
Food & Income Security: The harvest from fruit and cash crops supports both nutrition and financial stability.
Protected Spaces: Newly forested areas create healthier environments for schools, churches, and villages.
By contributing to this program, you are investing in this entire cycle of benefits, making a tangible difference that extends far beyond a single metric.
Our commitment to this partnership extends beyond planting. To ensure transparency and measure our true impact, we have established two key initiatives: a visitor program for firsthand observation and a rigorous scientific monitoring program. This data-driven approach allows us to accurately quantify our reforestation efforts and the amount of carbon dioxide being removed from the atmosphere, guaranteeing that your support delivers verifiable results.
How We Measure Impact
Tracking Growth, Ensuring Impact
Established in 2016, our monitoring program is designed to accurately measure tree growth, survival rates, and the resulting carbon sequestration. Modeled on a Quality Management System, this process ensures our calculations are both scientifically sound and transparent.
Our Methodological Framework
The program is built on a continuous cycle of planning, action, measurement, and improvement:
Nursery & Procurement: Seedlings are raised in nurseries for over six months to ensure stronger health and a higher survival rate upon planting.
Precise Transplanting: Seedlings are transplanted with careful attention to spacing and optimal growing conditions.
Systematic Plot Monitoring: We use GPS technology to establish and reliably return to specific monitoring plots, tracking the same trees over time.
Robust Data Collection: We meticulously record the species and number of trees planted in each plot. Only plantings with verified records are used in our carbon calculations.
Scientific Calculation: We use measurements of tree circumference and height to calculate wood volume, applying established scientific values for wood density and carbon content to determine total CO₂ sequestered.
Continuous Improvement: We maintain detailed records and improvement plans, adapting our methods based on data to enhance the program’s effectiveness year after year.
Our Key Findings & Metrics
This rigorous process provides us with reliable data to report on our progress:
High Survival Rates: As of 2024, our monitoring shows an average survival rate of 65% for Philippine Mahogany and approximately 90% for Rubber and Coconut trees. These rates have remained consistent, indicating well-established, thriving trees.
Verified Carbon Modeling: Our carbon sequestration estimates are based on measuring mature trees of the same species planted in the 1990s. This provides a real-world, data-backed model for predicting the carbon uptake of our new trees at maturity (25-30 years).
Transparent Calculation: The total carbon sequestered by the partnership is the sum of all verified plantings, calculated by multiplying the number of trees by their species-specific survival rate and the scientifically projected weight of CO₂ absorbed at maturity.
This program is the foundation of our credibility, ensuring that every donation translates into real, measurable environmental healing.
Our partnership is built on a foundation of transparency and tangible results. The figures below represent the collective impact of your support, and the updates that follow chronicle the journey of our shared mission to heal the planet and empower communities.
Overall Impact (As of Early 2024)
Total Projected CO₂ Sequestration: 252,416 tons from trees planted, to be absorbed over their 25-30 year lifespan.
Donations to Date: $65,219 has been donated, directly funding the sequestration of 3,138 tons of CO₂.
Current Donation Rate: $15.00 per ton of carbon dioxide offset.
Updates and Reports
The Story of Our Growing Impact
Trace the journey of our partnership from its founding covenant to its current status as an instrument of environmental stewardship and global cooperation.
Find all blog post updates here.
2012: The Journey Begins
The program was launched with the signing of the historic Covenant of Caring for All Creation. Learn more about this foundational moment through Bishop Rickel’s blog, which includes photos and video from the inaugural trip to the Philippines.
2014: Building Momentum
Early Investment: The Diocese of Olympia donated over $10,000, which funded the expansion of the tree nursery in UPI.
Scaling Up: Over 7,000 trees were transferred from the nursery to reforestation sites.
Economic & Ecological Diversity: The nursery began growing rubber trees, mahogany, coffee, and other tropical varieties, boosting local jobs and income.
Strengthening Bonds: A delegation from the EDSP visited the Diocese of Olympia, fostering a cultural exchange and sharing their work.
2017: Renewed Commitment
The partnership between the Dioceses of Olympia and Southern Philippines was formally renewed for another five years, solidifying our long-term shared mission and initial success.
2022: Resilience and Refinement
Steadfast Progress: Planting efforts continued uninterrupted throughout the global pandemic.
Verified Impact: A systematic monitoring program was fully implemented, allowing for precise calculation of carbon sequestration. Detailed records are now maintained for every planting.
Milestone Reached: The planted trees are projected to remove 199,529 metric tons of CO₂ from the atmosphere over their lifetime.
Transparent Process: Donations are collected by the Diocese of Olympia and sent to the EDSP, where they are held in a designated fund used solely for planting expenses.
Shared Success: This period highlighted the unique, mutual benefits for both dioceses, from healing land and creating jobs in the Philippines to providing a verified, justice-oriented carbon offset option in Washington.
Looking Forward: Our Vision and Your Role
The success of our partnership provides a strong foundation for an even brighter future. The progress we’ve made together is just the beginning, and we invite you to help write the next chapter.
The Future of Our Partnership
Building on over a decade of success, we are excited to expand our impact:
Continued Reforestation: We will continue planting thousands of trees, including research into new, resilient species to enhance biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
Agroforestry Demonstration Farms: We are developing a demonstration farm on EDSP-owned land near St. Anne’s Episcopal Church. This innovative project will feature:
A solar-powered water well to serve approximately 70 community members and irrigate the farm.
Training in sustainable agroforestry techniques, blending trees with crops.
Collaboration with experts from EDSP, E-CARE, and the Philippine government.
This farm will serve as a living classroom, empowering local communities with the skills for long-term food security and economic resilience. Additional land near Salumping has been identified for future expansion.
Your Journey to Carbon Neutrality
The most powerful way to support this work is to join it. Our partnership begins with a single step: understanding your personal carbon footprint. From there, you can reduce what you can and offset the rest, directly funding the transformative projects in the Philippines.
Take the First Step: Calculate Your Footprint
We are proud to endorse the Episcopal Household Carbon Tracker, the official carbon calculator of the Episcopal Church. This web-based tool helps individuals, households, congregations, and dioceses:
Measure your carbon footprint with ease.
Discover personalized steps to reduce your impact.
Shrink your footprint to fit a sustainable life.
Once you calculate your footprint, you can choose to offset your remaining emissions through our partnership, ensuring your donation has a verifiable, positive impact on both the climate and communities in the Philippines.
