Biochar
Biochar is a key to climate change resilience. Through an MV Vision Fellowship with the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, Maggie Craig is investigating the benefits of biochar, which is charcoal made by baking wood in a low-oxygen environment.
Learn About Biochar
Biochar is a form of carbon-rich charcoal produced from plant materials, and it offers significant environmental benefits. It helps sequester carbon in the soil for hundreds to thousands of years, reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Additionally, biochar improves soil health by increasing nutrient retention, enhancing water-holding capacity, and supporting beneficial microbial activity.
BIOCHAR ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD
Biochar is gaining recognition as a sustainable solution with wide-reaching environmental benefits. Created by heating wood in a low-oxygen environment, this carbon-rich material supports both ecological health and climate action. Here’s what makes biochar so promising:
🌱 Improves soil health – Enhances nutrient retention and boosts farm productivity
🔥 Reduces wildfire risk – Turns wood waste into a valuable resource
🌊 Protects water quality – Helps reduce nitrogen runoff into coastal ponds
🌍 Sequesters carbon – Locks away carbon for hundreds to thousands of years
By enriching soil, reducing waste, and supporting healthy forests and farms, biochar is an exciting, natural strategy for building long-term environmental resilience.
