First 30x30 Canada

What First 30x30 Canada does

First 30x30 Canada is an Indigenous-led non-profit initiative launched in 2023 that supports Indigenous governments in Canada to design and launch nature-based solutions (NbS) and carbon projects generating long-term revenue for land restoration and protection. The initiative is a partnership between Nature For Justice (N4J), IISAAK OLAM Foundation (IOF), and Nature Focus Development (NFD), and operates as a program rather than a traditional company — funded primarily through philanthropic grants rather than commercial revenue. Core services include a free NbS Market Opportunity Assessment (a desktop-based evaluation of carbon sequestration potential, market eligibility, costs, and benefits), early-stage project support, investor matching, fair benefit-sharing advisory based on FPIC principles (with Indigenous governments retaining more than 50% of long-term project revenue), feasibility studies, and capacity-building knowledge products.

The organization applies carbon modeling tools, remote sensing, and forest carbon modeling methodologies in support of Indigenous-led NbS project assessment and design. The technical team includes Kyle Melnick, lead instructor of the University of British Columbia's Forest Carbon Modeling program, who serves as Carbon Modeling Consultant. Distribution is direct and relationship-based: the initiative engages Indigenous governments through consultations, site visits, and structured advisory programs, accessible via its website at first30x30.earth. Pricing for advisory services is free of charge with no binding commitments.

First 30x30 Canada's primary customer segment is Indigenous governments (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) seeking to establish Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), access carbon and nature finance, and advance land stewardship. The initiative is funded principally by a USD $10 million (~CAD $14 million) multi-year grant from the BHP Foundation announced in January 2026, with prior seed funding from the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). Corporate partners include Domtar, and strategic collaborators include the Restore Assert Defend (RAD) Network and the Nature Investment Hub. Governance and operations are integrated across its three core partner organizations.

Name

First 30x30 Canada

Legal name

First 30x30 Canada

Website

https://first30x30.earth

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Short description

First 30x30 Canada is an Indigenous-led non-profit initiative, launched in 2023, that provides free advisory services, carbon modeling, and investor matching to help Indigenous governments establish Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and access nature-based solutions and carbon finance markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Finance Advisory

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Forestry (1153)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Avoided Conversion & Ecosystem Protection (REDD+, Blue Carbon Conservation) (EUABABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Timberland Carbon & Natural Capital Project Development (Offsets/REDD+) (AFAMAKAH), Community Forestry & Indigenous Land Stewardship Services (IMAMAJAM), Decarbonization Strategy & Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) Advisory (EUABAKAC), Land Use, Indigenous & Community Engagement Policy (EUAMANAL)

Keywords

• Indigenous conservation finance
• Carbon market advisory
• Nature-based solutions
• Protected area development
• Environmental consulting services

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic and Catalytic Funding: First 30x30 Canada operates as a non-profit initiative funded primarily through philanthropic grants. It uses this funding to provide Market Opportunity Assessments, feasibility studies, and early-stage project support at no cost to Indigenous Nations, removing financial and technical barriers to entry for nature-based solution projects. The organization does not retain project revenue; dollars and control remain with Indigenous Nations.
2. Nature-Based Solutions / Carbon Market Facilitation: The organization supports Indigenous governments to design and launch NbS / carbon projects that generate long-term revenue from carbon offsets, biodiversity credits, and ecosystem service payments. Revenue flows directly to Indigenous governments rather than to First 30x30, which acts as a catalyst and intermediary. Indigenous governments retain more than 50% of long-term project revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

First 30x30 Canada is an Indigenous-led non-profit initiative that supports Indigenous governments in Canada to design and launch nature-based solutions (NbS) and carbon projects that generate long-term revenue for land restoration and protection. It delivers free advisory services across the project lifecycle — including NbS Market Opportunity Assessments, early-stage project support, investor matching, fair benefit-sharing advisory, feasibility studies, and capacity building — connecting Indigenous-led conservation opportunities to carbon finance and global corporates. The organization operates on philanthropic grant funding and does not retain project revenue, ensuring more than 50% of long-term project revenue remains with Indigenous governments.

Product overview

First 30x30 Canada is an Indigenous-led non-profit initiative that operates as a program rather than a traditional product company. The organization's core offering is a suite of interconnected services that support Indigenous governments throughout the nature-based solutions (NbS) and carbon market project lifecycle. The main services include: the NbS Market Opportunity Assessment (a free desktop evaluation to help Nations understand funding opportunities), Early-Stage Project Support (funding and analysis for project development), Investor Matching (connecting Indigenous-led opportunities to capital), Fair Benefit-Sharing Advisory (ensuring equitable FPIC-based agreements with >50% revenue to Nations), NbS Feasibility Studies, and Capacity Building/Knowledge Products. These services work together as an end-to-end pathway—from initial market opportunity assessment through to project implementation and long-term revenue generation for land stewardship, all centered on Indigenous leadership and sovereignty.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NbS Market Opportunity Assessment

Quantifiable outcome

• Indigenous governments retain >50% of long-term project revenue
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nature For Justice (N4J)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2023Nature For Justice is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2020 that harnesses nature-based solutions and carbon markets to advance social justice for communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis. In Canada, N4J mobilizes partners, resources, and action for Indigenous-led conservation. N4J is the lead organization of the First 30x30 Canada initiative, providing program management, fundraising, research, project management, and program design.
• IISAAK OLAM Foundation (IOF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2023IISAAK OLAM is a Canadian Indigenous-led nonprofit that shares knowledge and builds capacity for IPCAs. It supports Indigenous leadership in the conservation of biological and cultural diversity, the development of resilient communities, reconciliation between Indigenous and newcomer societies, and solutions for (re)connecting people with their environment. IOF co-founded the First 30x30 Canada initiative and provides West Coast conservation expertise, including through Terry Dorward as West Coast Conservation Director.
• Nature Focus Development (NFD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2023Nature Focus is a US-based NbS developer working with investors for global land restoration and protection strategies. Nature Focus has decades of Indigenous and infrastructure experience, with a current portfolio of projects surpassing 400,000 acres of land. Jeffrey Brown serves as Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer at NFD and brings 15 years of experience in project advisory spanning natural resources infrastructure, energy development, and defense procurement.
• Restore Assert Defend (RAD) NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe RAD Network collaborates with First 30x30 Canada on educational resources and webinars related to Indigenous-led conservation and carbon markets. RAD and First 30x30 co-hosted the webinar 'Financing Indigenous-led Conservation' in October 2024, and collaborated on resources including Atmospheric Benefit Agreements (ABAs) and the BC Forest Carbon Offset Protocol (FCOP) overview.
• Nature Investment HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Nature Investment Hub (a Solution Space by Generate Canada in partnership with the Smart Prosperity Institute) co-hosted a webinar with First 30x30 Canada in December 2024 focused on the role of philanthropy and private sectors in scaling investment in Indigenous-led conservation. The Hub supports dialogue with philanthropists, corporates, impact investors, and governments.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nature Focus Development (NFD): US-based NbS developer and First 30x30 co-founder with400,000+ acres of land restoration/protection projects. Comparable as a peer because both originate and develop Indigenous-engaged nature-based carbon and biodiversity projects across North America.
• Nature United: Canadian affiliate of The Nature Conservancy advancing Indigenous-led conservation and nature-based climate solutions in Canada. It is a direct peer in financing and convening Indigenous conservation outcomes at scale.
• IISAAK OLAM Foundation: Canadian Indigenous-led non-profit that co-leads First 30x30 Canada and provides IPCA knowledge-sharing and capacity-building services. It is a direct operational peer in Indigenous conservation governance and capacity development.
• Indigenous Leadership Initiative: Canadian Indigenous-led organization advancing IPCAs and Indigenous Guardian programs. It is a close functional peer in building the policy, capacity, and funding scaffolding that First 30x30's projects rely on.
• Nature For Justice (N4J): US-based 501(c)(3) and lead organization of the First 30x30 Canada initiative, providing program management, fundraising, and project management. Operates the same Indigenous-led NbS and FPIC-aligned model in other geographies, making it the closest structural peer.

Others

• Verra (Verified Carbon Standard): Operator of the Verified Carbon Standard and other carbon credit registries. It is an adjacent enabling peer because the credits generated by First 30x30-originated projects are ultimately registered and verified against standards like VCS.

Broad incumbents

• South Pole Group: Global carbon project developer and climate solutions provider active in forest carbon, NbS, and voluntary carbon markets. Comparable as a broad incumbent peer that originates, develops, and sells carbon credits at global scale, competing for the same corporate NbS demand.
• Conservation International: Global conservation organization that develops nature-based solutions, REDD+ projects, and corporate biodiversity partnerships. It is a broader incumbent peer operating in the same NbS/carbon origination space at greater scale and with corporate buyer reach.

Regional players

• Coastal First Nations / Great Bear Initiative: British Columbia-based Indigenous coalition operating carbon offset projects (Great Bear Rainforest) and sustainable forest management. Comparable as a regional peer because it combines Indigenous governance with carbon finance and forest stewardship in Canada.

Emerging players

• Pachama: Tech-enabled forest carbon credit marketplace connecting project developers to corporate buyers with ML-based MRV. Comparable as an emerging peer because it sits between Indigenous-led project originators like First 30x30 and corporate NbS demand, shaping buyer access and pricing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about First 30x30 Canada