--- title: Setting Up a 401(k) Plan Worthy of Mast Reforestation’s Mission description: Learn how Mast Reforestation discovered how to add mission-aligned 401(k) portfolios to its employer sponsored retirement plan. image: https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/mast%20reforestation%20(1).png --- [![Carbon collective](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CarbonCollective_August2021%20copy/images/carbon-collective-green-investing-logo-white.4f6047d4.svg "Carbon collective")](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/) - About - Employers - [Sustainable 401(k)](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k) - [401(k) Comparison Tool](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/plan-comparison-tool) - Individuals - [FAQ](https://www.carboncollective.co/en/knowledge/faqs) - [ETF](https://www.carboncollectivefunds.com/) - Learn - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing) - [Investing Basics](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/investing-basics) - [Blog](https://blog.carboncollective.co/) - [Tools](https://tools.carboncollective.co/calculator/) - Log in - [Carbon Collective](https://app.carboncollective.co) - [Altruist](https://app.altruist.com) [Talk to a human](https://ask.carboncollective.co/f4o5dylkg) [Sign up](https://app.carboncollective.co/sign-up) [Log In](http://app.carboncollective.co/) [![Carbon collective](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CarbonCollective_August2021%20copy/images/carbon-collective-green-investing-logo.53b28bee.svg "Carbon collective")](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/) - About - Employers - [Sustainable 401(k)](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k) - [401(k) Comparison Tool](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/plan-comparison-tool) - Individuals - [FAQ](https://www.carboncollective.co/en/knowledge/faqs) - [ETF](https://www.carboncollectivefunds.com/) - Learn - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing) - [Investing Basics](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/investing-basics) - [Blog](https://blog.carboncollective.co/) - [Tools](https://tools.carboncollective.co/calculator/) - Log in - [Carbon Collective](https://app.carboncollective.co) - [Altruist](https://app.altruist.com) [Talk to a human](https://ask.carboncollective.co/f4o5dylkg) [Sign up](https://app.carboncollective.co/sign-up) [Log In](http://app.carboncollective.co/) **[Home](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/) > [401(k) Case Studies](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/case-studies) >** Setting Up a 401(k) Plan Worthy of Mast Reforestation’s Mission # Setting Up a 401(k) Plan Worthy of Mast Reforestation’s Mission ![](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/Brooke%20Tomasetti.png) Written by Brooke Tomasetti | Reviewed by [Subject Matter Experts](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/subject-matter-experts) Updated on October 1, 2024 Fact Checked Why Trust Carbon Collective? ### Table of Contents ## Introduction Mast Reforestation is a climate tech company on an ambitious mission: to make reforestation scalable. Bringing together technology and traditional forestry methods, they are quickly restoring land affected by wildfires, while offering unique carbon removal credits to reduce costs to landowners. Mast Reforestation’s vertically-integrated approach accelerates projects, getting them up and running in weeks instead of years. This includes the largest seed and seedling stocks in the West, massive nursery operations, and expert seeding and planting execution.  Mast Reforestation needed a 401(k) plan that aligned with this incredible mission, and that they could use to attract the right talent as it continues to grow. ### Company Overview - **Industry**: Climate Tech/Environmental Services - **Company size**: 51-200 employees - **Headquarters**: Seattle, Washington - **Founded**: 2015 ## The Story of Mast Reforestation Mast Reforestation was founded in 2015 to mitigate the worst effects of climate change through scaling reforestation and carbon removal. By coupling tech with traditional forestry methods such as hand planting, they've created a platform that efficiently reduces CO2 levels while also taking action against climate change.  Mast Reforestation is able to rapidly restore land affected by wildfires, which allows for ecosystem co-benefits and reduced CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Mast acquired Silvaseed, one of the largest tree seed providers in the U.S, and [Cal Forest,](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/droneseed-acquires-cal-forest-nurseries-californias-largest-tree-nursery-and-announces-new-parent-brand-mast-reforestation-301763975.html) a nursery responsible for growing the majority of trees used for California’s reforestation. Together both nurseries produce up to 30% of all annual reforestation seedling production for landowners and managers across 11 western states. ![Matthew Aghai and Kea Woodruff talk at the Silvaseed Nursery Seedling assembly line at Silvaseed - Mast Reforestation.jpg](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/401k/Case%20Studies/Matthew%20Aghai%20and%20Kea%20Woodruff%20talk%20at%20the%20Silvaseed%20Nursery%20Seedling%20assembly%20line%20at%20Silvaseed%20-%20Mast%20Reforestation.jpg.jpg?width=1500&height=1000&name=Matthew%20Aghai%20and%20Kea%20Woodruff%20talk%20at%20the%20Silvaseed%20Nursery%20Seedling%20assembly%20line%20at%20Silvaseed%20-%20Mast%20Reforestation.jpg.jpg) These acquisitions have helped Mast Reforestation scale up its supply chain and serve more landowners impacted by devastating fires across the west with its one-stop-shop reforestation services.   Mast Reforestation’s goal is to use forward-looking carbon removal credits, which lock in CO2 removal for at least 200 years, and provide reforestation services at no upfront cost to landowners. This financing model unlocks new revenue streams for landowners while accelerating project timelines.  With its innovative approach, Mast Reforestation is pioneering sustainable climate technology solutions that are helping improve our environment. ## The Challenge of Finding a Mission-Aligned 401(k) With so many 401(k) plan options, companies may find themselves struggling to make the right choice for their employees and for the company. It is even more of a challenge to find a 401(k) plan that truly aligns with your company’s mission.  Companies like Mast Reforestation that are tackling climate change do not want to force their employees to invest their 401(k)s in fossil fuel companies. But your typical 401(k) plan provider oftentimes only offers one or two basic “ESG” (Environmental, Social, and Governance) funds. These tend to have higher fees, and many frustratingly still hold fossil fuel companies. Mast Reforestation saw an opportunity to offer additional climate-friendly portfolio options in their 401(k) plans. ## Why Mast Reforestation Chose Carbon Collective The Founder and CEO of Mast Reforestation, Grant Canary, wanted to offer a 401(k) benefit to his employees that doubled down on Mast Reforestation’s mission on climate. As Grant explains, “It made no sense to work all day on a mission to mitigate the worst effects of climate change, then offer a 401(k) to employees where a significant portion is put into fossil fuel companies. I especially wanted something better to highlight in the recruiting process.” When Grant first heard of Carbon Collective on the [My Climate Journey](https://www.mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/carbon-collective) podcast, he reached out to learn more about Carbon Collective’s sustainable 401(k) plans and portfolios. He was personally part of the 401(k) selection process, as he wanted to ensure that Mast Reforestation employees got a great product.  “I was so impressed with the product and then the onboarding that I invested personally in the company, and that's also where my 401(k) funds are today.”  Grant describes how the mix of portfolio options especially stood out to him when choosing Carbon Collective for Mast Reforestation’s 401(k): “What I love is that they offer all three goldilocks options to Mast Reforestation's 100+ employees: Vanguard regular, Vanguard ESG, and Carbon Collective's option with zero fossil fuels and much more stringent requirements. My 401(k) invests in the latter, and is administered through Vestwell. I believe the choice of three options is a phenomenal product decision speeding up adoption by companies to the service as a whole.”  To summarize key factors that helped Mast Reforestation work with Carbon Collective on their 401(k) benefit: 1. **Ability to offer sustainable portfolio options** — Employees have all of the options typically available to them in a 401(k) plan, *and* they have the option to invest in Carbon Collective’s [climate-focused portfolios](https://www.carboncollective.co/esg-401k-portfolios) that divest from fossil fuels. 2. **Quality of service and high level of support** — Carbon Collective’s Head of 401(k) Operations worked closely with Mast Reforestation each step of the way, and will continue to support them. Many other 401(k) companies focus on automating low touch client support, which makes this an important factor for many fast-growing startups. 3. **Financial education for all employees** — We provide access to personalized resources and live financial wellness webinars. Our goal is to empower the 401(k) plan participants with knowledge and tools to make informed financial decisions and achieve their financial goals. 4. **The Carbon Collective team** — The team at Carbon Collective is a big reason why clients like Mast Reforestation work with us!   Mast Reforestation’s climate-centered mission required a 401(k) plan that offered employees climate-friendly portfolio options. Carbon Collective was the clear fit. > ## The Results > > All of Mast Reforestation’s employees now have access to a competitive 401(k) benefit, and Mast Reforestation has sustainable 401(k) options that they can use as part of their benefits package in talent acquisition. > > “I'm really bullish on what can be accomplished by this team to build a company as well as what this can do for the climate.” —Grant Canary, Founder & CEO at Mast Reforestation > > To learn more about Mast Reforestation and join them in accelerating their mission, [visit their website](https://www.mastreforest.com/). > > ![Workers in the field pulling seedlings - Mast Reforestation](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/401k/Case%20Studies/Workers%20in%20the%20field%20pulling%20seedlings%20-%20Mast%20Reforestation.jpg?width=1500&height=1000&name=Workers%20in%20the%20field%20pulling%20seedlings%20-%20Mast%20Reforestation.jpg) > > ## Ready to Get Started? > > We’re here to answer all of your questions about setting up a sustainable 401(k) for your company. Schedule a [Free 401(k) Strategy Session](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k-strategy-call) with our Chief Investment Officer. [![FREE PLAN CHECK-UP Meet with an Expert   ✅ Cost-Savings Analysis ✅ Proactive Compliance/Legal Risk Screening ✅ Performance Benchmarking ✅ Sustainable Investment Review ✅ Participant Experience Evaluation    ](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/20345524/interactive-127749612835.png)](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJnUSrOWuIYfnSAs18eacud2l6lnYAAI%2BZMMtyYsdgigb5cmnV49PHHBFqLdE1t4gfNdrL6yPFgizmKPZ8JbrgJHG22h6Nc7dvjsXakwevzDo%2F7WuCW0OYi5EUvUThUj4%2FJCSFMiyT7HYSSjgwV8SUaR9K7MIkkyzmvc%2FyMMUUJhYh619%2BMA3UGc1YttXxZ&webInteractiveContentId=127749612835&portalId=20345524) ### Related Topics - [Sustainable 401(k) Plan](https://www.carboncollective.co/401k) - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/) - [Investing Basics](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/investing-basics) - [Retirement Glossary](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/retirement-planning-glossary) - [Best Retirement Plans](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/the-10-best-retirement-plans) - [Wealth Manager Vs Financial Advisor](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/wealth-manager-vs.-financial-advisor) ![Attend Our Next Webinar](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/carbon-collective-green-investing-icon-webinar.12af7b6e.svg) ### Attend Our Next Webinar Join our next Sustainable Investing 101 webinar, get our favorite DIY options, and walk through how we build our portfolios. [Watch Now](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing-webinar-green-retirement-month) ![Get Our Newsletter](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/carbon-collective-green-investing-icon-demo.6ed28722.svg) ### Get Our Newsletter Go a level deeper with us and investigate the potential impacts of climate change on investments like your retirement account. Join Newsletter ![close-typeform](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhEQARAIAAAODn7P///yH5BAEHAAEALAAAAAARABEAAAIqBIKpab3v3EMyVHWtWZluf0za0XFNKDJfCq5i5JpomdUxqKLQVmInqyoAADs=) ![Talk To A Human](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/carbon-collective-green-investing-icon-chat.49d48c5b.svg) ### Talk To A Human Joining a new investment service can be intimidating. We’re here for you. Click below to email us a question or book a quick call. [Ask a Question](https://ask.carboncollective.co/f70pooobq) - Portfolios - [Performance](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/returns) - About - [Sustainable 401(k)](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k) - Learn - [FAQ](https://www.carboncollective.co/en/knowledge/faqs) - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing) - [Investing Basics](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/investing-basics) - Contact - [Contact us](mailto:hello@carboncollective.co) - [Legal](https://www.carboncollective.co/legal) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/2022-11%20Carbon%20Collective%20Privacy%20Policy.pdf) - [Back to top](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/case-studies/mast-reforestation#top-of-page) DISCLAIMERS: Advisory services provided by Carbon Collective Investment LLC (“Carbon Collective"), an SEC-registered investment adviser. A copy of Carbon Collective's current written disclosure statement discussing Carbon Collective’s business operations, services, and fees is available at the SEC’s investment adviser public information website – [www.adviserinfo.sec.gov](https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/310129) or [our legal documents here](https://blog.carboncollective.co/legal-documents/). The articles and research support materials available on this site are educational and are not intended to be investment or tax advice. Carbon Collective does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to Carbon Collective’s web site or incorporated herein, and takes no responsibility therefor. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly. Investments in securities: Not FDIC Insured • No Bank Guarantee • May Lose Value. Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and Carbon Collective's charges and expenses. Carbon Collective's internet-based advisory services are designed to assist clients in achieving discrete financial goals. They are not intended to provide comprehensive tax advice or financial planning with respect to every aspect of a client's financial situation and do not incorporate specific investments that clients hold elsewhere. For more details, see our Form CRS, Form ADV Part 2 and other disclosures. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and the likelihood of investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature. Not an offer, solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell securities in jurisdictions where Carbon Collective is not registered. © 2026 Carbon Collective Corporation. All rights reserved. × #### Fact Checked Carbon Collective partners with financial and climate experts to ensure the accuracy of our content. Our team of reviewers are established professionals with years of experience in areas of personal finance and climate. They have contributed to top tier financial publications, such as Reuters, Axios, Ag Funder News, Bloomberg, Marketwatch, Yahoo! Finance, and many others. This team of experts helps Carbon Collective maintain the highest level of accuracy and professionalism possible. × #### Why Trust Carbon Collective Carbon Collective is the first online investment advisor 100% focused on solving climate change. We believe that sustainable investing is not just an important climate solution, but a smart way to invest. We follow ethical journalism practices, which includes presenting unbiased information and citing reliable, attributed resources. Much of our research comes from leading organizations in the climate space, such as Project Drawdown and the International Energy Agency (IEA). Our goal is to deliver the most understandable and comprehensive explanations of climate and finance topics. Our writing and editorial staff are a team of experts holding advanced financial designations and have written for most major financial media publications. Our work has been directly cited by organizations including MarketWatch, Bloomberg, Axios, TechCrunch, Forbes, NerdWallet, GreenBiz, Reuters, and many others. We strive to empower readers with the most factual and reliable climate finance information possible to help them make informed decisions. } ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Brooke Tomasetti", "url" : "https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/case-studies/author/brooke-tomasetti" }, "dateModified" : "2023-09-05T20:32:26.100Z", "datePublished" : "2023-09-05T20:32:26.000Z", "headline" : "Setting Up a 401(k) Plan Worthy of Mast Reforestation’s Mission", "image" : [ "https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/mast%20reforestation%20(1).png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/case-studies/mast-reforestation", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/CarbonCollectiveLogo.png" }, "name" : "Carbon Collective" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "alternateName" : "Carbon Collective", "contactPoint" : { "@type" : "ContactPoint", "areaServed" : "US", "availableLanguage" : "en", "contactType" : "customer service", "telephone" : "(650) 868-2697" }, "logo" : "https://www.carboncollective.co/hubfs/CarbonCollectiveLogo.png", "name" : "Carbon Collective Investing LLC", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/carboncollectiveinvesting/", "https://twitter.com/carbncollective", "https://www.instagram.com/carbon.collective/", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC769Y-F-L_B37kyQfdpvyXA", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/carbon-collective/", "https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/carbon-collective", "https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/310129", "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110243690" ], "url" : "https://www.carboncollective.co/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "https://20345524.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20345524/Brooke%20Tomasetti.png", "url" : "https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/case-studies/author/brooke-tomasetti" }, "dateModified" : "2024-10-01", "datePublished" : "2023-09-05", "description" : "Learn how Mast Reforestation discovered how to add mission-aligned 401(k) portfolios to its employer sponsored retirement plan.", "headline" : "Setting Up a 401(k) Plan Worthy of Mast Reforestation’s Mission", "image" : "https://20345524.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20345524/mast%20reforestation%20%281%29.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/case-studies/mast-reforestation", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.carboncollective.co/hubfs/CarbonCollectiveLogo.png" }, "name" : "Carbon Collective" } } ```