We're a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing nature-based solutions through trusted collaboration between land stewards, project developers and businesses across Central and Southern Appalachia.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide landowners with alternative, sustainable income streams while delivering measurable climate mitigation. Since 2022, our programs have provided habitat protection and long-term stewardship of Appalachian landscapes.
As growing urbanization and land conversion trends in the region continue to stress an already fragmented landscape, we use emerging markets to provide a stabilizing influence to the legacy of our regional landscape.
At ACE, we believe that place, integrity, and relationship matter. We honor Appalachian heritage and leverage regional expertise to implement forest management and restoration practices that are not only ecologically sound but also built on trust and transparency.
Building on the strengths of our region and our people, we believe that...
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Relationships matter
Just like knowing your local farmer makes the veggies taste better, trust in relationships is at the heart of our mission. We prioritize implementing programs with the individuals in our communities in mind.
Place matters
True to Appalachian heritage, we look to the resourcefulness and determination of the regional character to solve big problems. By betting on local, our work supports the development of accessible, high-quality projects that brings together many different stakeholders across the region.
Integrity matters
Good things take time, and we are here for the long haul. Our work hinges on doing the right thing every day, and that means a lot of diligence, a lot of patience, and keeping our true climate positive impact in the driver's seat.
Building on the strengths of our region and our people, at ACE we believe that...
Relationships matter
Just like knowing your local farmer makes the veggies taste better, trust in relationships is at the heart of our mission. We prioritize implementing programs with the individuals in our communities in mind.
Place matters
True to Appalachian heritage, we look to the resourcefulness and determination of the regional character to solve big problems. By betting on local, our work supports the development of accessible, high-quality projects that brings together many different stakeholders across the region.
Integrity matters
Good things take time, and we are here for the long haul. Our work hinges on doing the right thing every day, and that means a lot of diligence, a lot of patience, and keeping our true climate positive impact in the driver's seat.
Our team
Ongeleigh Underwood
Founder and Executive Director
Ongeleigh Underwood is the Founder and Executive Director at ACE. With a background in environmental science and two decades of experience working on sustainability initiatives across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, she brings a results-driven approach to solutions rooted in both ecological and economic impact.
Most recently, she has served as Managing Director of the Circular Carbon Network, an initiative of XPRIZE Carbon Removal, where she worked to accelerate investment into carbon removal and utilization technologies. Ongeleigh holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and has led successful projects at many organizations including Launch Tennessee, the City of Chattanooga, and the North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy.
Most recently, she has served as Managing Director of the Circular Carbon Network, an initiative of XPRIZE Carbon Removal, where she worked to accelerate investment into carbon removal and utilization technologies. Ongeleigh holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and has led successful projects at many organizations including Launch Tennessee, the City of Chattanooga, and the North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy.
Aidan Campbell
Forest Program Director
Aidan Campbell is the Forest Program Director at ACE, and he is responsible for the day to day operations and goals of the forest management program. Aidan has a background in land management, forestry, hydrogeology and land conservation with both the federal government and the non-profit sector.
Aidan has served as a ranger with the US Forest Service, surveying timber stands and conducting intensive endangered species monitoring. He also has served as a research scientist with the US Geological Survey managing and implementing groundwater monitoring and contaminate plume tracking programs around the southeastern United States. In addition, Aidan served as the land manager and conservation director with the Southeastern Cave Conservancy, leading their carbon project efforts and refocusing conservation initiatives directed at holistic approaches to land management in karst landscapes. Aidan holds a B.A in Natural Resource Management from Sewanee: the University of the South.
Aidan has served as a ranger with the US Forest Service, surveying timber stands and conducting intensive endangered species monitoring. He also has served as a research scientist with the US Geological Survey managing and implementing groundwater monitoring and contaminate plume tracking programs around the southeastern United States. In addition, Aidan served as the land manager and conservation director with the Southeastern Cave Conservancy, leading their carbon project efforts and refocusing conservation initiatives directed at holistic approaches to land management in karst landscapes. Aidan holds a B.A in Natural Resource Management from Sewanee: the University of the South.
Jake Lee
west virginia Program Manager
Jake Lee is the West Virginia Forest Program Manager at ACE. With a background in forest management, GIS and computer science, he has worked in both the private and public sectors to further a science based approach to land management.
Jake has worked with both state and federal agencies as a part of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation as well as the US Forest Service. While at these organizations, Jake worked across landownerships to procure grant funding as well as set up and oversee timber sales. Likewise, Jake has also worked with private carbon companies here in West Virginia, using GIS to find and monitor potential carbon projects. Jake holds two degrees, a B.S. from West Virginia University in Forest Resource Management and a B.S. in Cybersecurity from Penn State.
Jake has worked with both state and federal agencies as a part of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation as well as the US Forest Service. While at these organizations, Jake worked across landownerships to procure grant funding as well as set up and oversee timber sales. Likewise, Jake has also worked with private carbon companies here in West Virginia, using GIS to find and monitor potential carbon projects. Jake holds two degrees, a B.S. from West Virginia University in Forest Resource Management and a B.S. in Cybersecurity from Penn State.
Kacy Hicks
kentucky Program Manager
Kacy Hicks is a Program Manager at ACE, where she leads the Forest Management Program in Appalachian Kentucky. She has a background in project and grant management, stakeholder engagement, community outreach, habitat and forest management, environmental science, and endangered species projects.
Earlier in her career, Kacy worked as an Environmental Scientist with the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, conducting mining compliance inspections and environmental monitoring. She also served with USDA Wildlife Services protecting endangered species and with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, where she restored habitats through prescribed burns, invasive species control, and timber stand improvements. Building on this foundation, Kacy developed a strong background at the intersection of natural resource management, energy innovation, and entrepreneurship. She went on to serve as Director of Entrepreneurship at Shaping Our Appalachian Region, where she built a tech-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem across Eastern Kentucky, and she also served as SOAR’s Energy Innovation Coordinator, where she connected communities with emerging energy opportunities and funding resources. Kacy is a graduate of Morehead State University with a B.S. in Biological Sciences.
Earlier in her career, Kacy worked as an Environmental Scientist with the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, conducting mining compliance inspections and environmental monitoring. She also served with USDA Wildlife Services protecting endangered species and with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, where she restored habitats through prescribed burns, invasive species control, and timber stand improvements. Building on this foundation, Kacy developed a strong background at the intersection of natural resource management, energy innovation, and entrepreneurship. She went on to serve as Director of Entrepreneurship at Shaping Our Appalachian Region, where she built a tech-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem across Eastern Kentucky, and she also served as SOAR’s Energy Innovation Coordinator, where she connected communities with emerging energy opportunities and funding resources. Kacy is a graduate of Morehead State University with a B.S. in Biological Sciences.