Give. Receive. Grow.
In a mycorrhizal network, every node both gives and receives. There are no free riders and no landlords. Only contributors — connected by the work of regeneration.
This is the Contribution Protocol of the Open Arbor Alliance. It defines what you bring, what you earn, and how recognition flows through the network.
The Mycorrhizal Principle
Every Node Gives
Data, code, ecological observations, ordinance research, or financial support. Every contribution strengthens the network.
Every Node Receives
Intelligence, tools, recognition, governance voice, ecological credit, and community belonging. Proportional to contribution.
No Extraction
No one profits from another's data. No vendor lock-in. No algorithmic manipulation. Sovereignty is the base layer.
Ways to Contribute
The Alliance recognizes six categories of contribution. Each has a clear give/receive contract. You choose your path — or walk many.
Field Observations
Document trees, assess health, record ecological data in the field.
You Give
- Tree inventory records with GPS & species data
- Health assessments and photo documentation
- Soil observations and microclimate notes
You Receive
- Soil Grower's Path progression
- Scout Score (data accuracy rating)
- Ecological credit for verified observations
- Community recognition and peer endorsements
Code & Engineering
Build features, fix bugs, improve protocols, extend the platform.
You Give
- Pull requests to Open Arbor repositories
- Bug reports and testing
- Documentation and technical writing
You Receive
- Contributor badge and Git-verified profile
- Governance voting weight multiplier
- Priority access to experimental features
- Name in Alliance credits and annual report
Ordinance Research
Research, document, and verify municipal tree ordinances.
You Give
- Verified ordinance provisions for municipalities
- Permit process documentation
- Penalty structure research
You Receive
- Ordinance Contributor profile and leaderboard
- Research credit for each verified provision
- Access to the full Ordinance Intelligence database
- Community recognition as subject matter expert
Ecological Design
Design pocket forests, restoration plans, and sanctuary assessments.
You Give
- Pocket forest designs with species palettes
- Sanctuary Scorecard assessments
- Before/after photo evidence portfolios
You Receive
- Design portfolio visible to investors and landowners
- Steward Score advancement
- Sanctuary Deal Flow access (matching with properties)
- Ecological credit for measurable impact
Financial Pledges
Monthly, annual, or one-time financial support for the Alliance.
You Give
- Seed ($11), Sapling ($33), or Canopy ($88) pledge
- One-time endowment option available
You Receive
- All pledge tier unlocks (tools, exports, deal flow)
- Governance voting rights (1/3/10 votes per quarter)
- Direct influence on roadmap priorities
- Alliance membership and Steward Badge
Community Building
Mentor stewards, lead guilds, organize local events, recruit nodes.
You Give
- Mentorship of new stewards
- Guild leadership and project coordination
- Referrals and network growth
You Receive
- Mentor endorsements on profile
- Community Fit score advancement
- Referral credit for recruited stewards
- Legacy Protector pathway recognition
How Recognition Flows
The Alliance tracks contributions through multiple interlocking systems. No single metric captures your value — just like no single species defines a forest.
Soil Grower's Path
Seven progression levels from Seedling Steward to Legacy Protector. Advances through field work, training, and community impact. Each level unlocks a Botanical Guide — a wisdom keeper archetype.
Scout Score
Data accuracy rating (0-100) based on peer validation and professional verification of your field observations. Higher scores mean your data is trusted more in the network.
Steward Score
Composite score across five dimensions: Field Contribution (30%), Training (25%), Project Experience (25%), Time Horizon (10%), Community Fit (10%). Used for Sanctuary matching.
Governance Voice
Voting weight on quarterly roadmap decisions. Earned through pledges (1/3/10 votes) and amplified by contribution history. One-time endowments also earn governance voice for their active period.
Ecological Credit
Quantified impact: trees documented, carbon tracked, stormwater modeled, species identified. This is your portfolio of measurable regeneration, visible to investors and partners.
Every Forest Starts with One Root.
Choose your contribution path. There is no wrong entry point. The mycelium connects all who serve the soil.