Apple said Tuesday it will invest in the restoration and sustainable management of a redwood forest in northern California, part of its expanded Restore Fund initiative aimed at advancing forest conservation and carbon removal worldwide.
The iPhone maker is working with The Conservation Fund, a United States-based nonprofit that safeguards at-risk forests. The project will focus on the Gualala River Forest in Mendocino County, a coastal redwood landscape that supports wildlife and rural communities.
“Forests are one of the most powerful technologies we have for removing carbon from the atmosphere,” Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, said in a statement. “Our global investments in nature are leveraging that technology while supporting communities and enhancing biodiversity.”
Partnership Model for Forest Conservation
The Conservation Fund has protected more than 120,000 acres of redwood forestland in California since 2004. Its president and CEO, Larry Selzer, said the collaboration with Apple demonstrates how corporate investment can safeguard working forests.
“America’s forests are under immense pressure, with 13 million acres at risk of vanishing by 2050,” Selzer said. “Our collaboration with Apple is a powerful model for protecting working forests, and we’re eager to replicate it nationwide.”
Through the partnership, Apple will receive carbon credits tied to the forest’s long-term growth. The project aligns with Apple’s goal of becoming carbon neutral across its entire footprint by 2030.
Scaling Global Nature-Based Solutions
The Restore Fund, launched in 2021 with Goldman Sachs and Conservation International, now spans two dozen projects across six continents. Apple has added investments in the U.S. and Latin America, alongside contributions from suppliers including TSMC and Murata.
By 2030, Apple and its partners aim to remove 9.6 million metric tons of carbon annually. The company said it has already reduced emissions by more than 60 percent from 2015 levels, targeting a 75 percent reduction by the end of the decade.
Global Commitments in Forest Conservation
Beyond California, Apple has backed conservation projects in Maine, North Carolina and Washington state. Internationally, its Restore Fund supports nature-based carbon removal and regenerative agriculture in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and South America.
On Tuesday, Apple also announced new grants to strengthen local conservation leadership and ecosystem protection. These include support for mangrove forest projects in India with Conservation International, youth-led conservation through the Jane Goodall Institute, and community programs worldwide.
Additionally, Apple is funding research with The Nature Conservancy to test remote sensing tools for tracking natural climate solutions. The company said these efforts will help scale global forest conservation while promoting sustainable livelihoods.
Driving Toward Carbon Neutrality
Apple said its investments in nature are central to the Apple 2030 plan. The company will continue prioritizing forest conservation and other scalable carbon removal projects to balance emissions it cannot cut directly.
“Forests are not only vital carbon sinks but also economic lifelines for communities,” Jackson said. “Our work is designed to protect both.”
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