Abstract
Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute conducted a novel multi-year, system-wide study (on the 2,700-acre Duke Farms property, a center for environmental stewardship in Hillsborough, NJ), to evaluate whether natural climate solutions and changes in farming or other practices could result in Duke Farms’ system being carbon neutral – or possibly carbon negative. The project involved an extensive field campaign to measure and model carbon stocks and flows through Duke Farms’ soils, forests, grasslands, and floodplain to determine current and future carbon sequestration. In tandem, we modeled a baseline carbon footprint of Duke Farms and its operations and then conducted scenario analyses of various land management practices and renewable energy options to evaluate a path toward carbon neutrality. The study is intended to not only identify management strategies for Duke Farms to reduce its carbon footprint, but also to provide approaches that can be emulated by other land managers.