Responsibility

LONG-TERM VALUE CREATION

Financial Stewardship

We are responsible to our investors. AAM enhances the value of its services through a commitment to excellence in financial stewardship. We embrace best practices in investment management to provide transparency, enhance accountability, and generate financial results.

IMPROVING LIVES

Social Stewardship

We are responsible to our community. Nationally, and more specifically, in California, we suffer from a major affordable housing shortage. We are part of the solution by overseeing affordable housing projects and providing valuable affordable housing for those in need.

Affordable Housing

California ranks 49th for housing units per capita.¹ In 2018, there was an estimated housing shortage of 2 million units. This shortage is expected to reach 3.5 million units by 2025.¹ Additionally, in California, 50% of households cannot afford market rate housing and nearly no low-income families can afford to pay market rates.¹ AAM is committed to ending the affordable housing shortage and has proven that it can be profitable to do so.

Safe Communities

By operating affordable housing opportunities for low-income families, AAM provides financial security to an increasingly underserved demographic. We hold extensive experience identifying and repositioning distressed assets and building them into flourishing living environments that foster community engagement and enhance social well-being. We pride ourselves on ability to improve living conditions for thousands of individuals and families.

Credit: Solomon, Robert A., How To Increase Our Affordable Housing Stock Introduction-Our National Housing Policy (November 6, 2018). UC Irvine School of Law Research Paper No. 2018-62. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3279153

MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE

Land Stewardship

We are responsible to our planet. The ecosystem services of the natural world are irreplaceable. At AAM, we understand that it is our duty to, not only protect the environment, but to improve its condition by taking steps to reverse climate change, reduce pollution, and promote biodiversity.

Grasslands

Covering 25% of the Earth’s land surface, grasslands contain roughly 12% of the Earth’s terrestrial carbon stock.¹ Unlike forests, 60-80% of grassland biomass carbon is located belowground in extensive, fibrous root systems.¹ In the Western United States, one hectare (2.47 acres) of grassland contains nearly 30 metric tons of carbon.¹ In California, scientists are placing increasing importance on preserving grassland ecosystems. While forests have previously been viewed as robust carbon sinks, extreme heatwaves, drought, and wildfire have increased tree mortality. Through modeling experiments, scientists have revealed that California grasslands are a more resilient carbon sink than forests in response to climate change.² With more than 13,000 acres of grasslands, AAM protects a belowground carbon pool containing an estimated 157,895 metric tons of carbon. Through easements and responsible grazing practices, we ensure the protection of this critical ecosystem service.     

Agriculture

Studies conducted by researchers at the University of California, Davis, and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources have shown that almonds have a very small carbon footprint.³ One kilogram of California almonds typically produces less than one kilogram of CO₂ equivalent emissions.³ Research shows that California almonds can be a carbon-neutral or carbon-negative crop through sequestration of CO₂ from the atmosphere or the avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions.³ By utilizing the latest innovations in agricultural technology, AAM aims to achieve carbon negative crop production. With nearly 2,000 acres of orchards, our carbon sequestration capacity is significant.

• ¹ Janowiak, M., Connelly, W. J., Dante-Wood, K., Domke, G. M., Giardina, C., Kayler, Z., Marcinkowski, K., Ontl, T., Rodriguez-Franco, C., Swanston, C., Woodall, C. W., & Buford, M. 2017. Considering Forest And Grassland Carbon In Land Management. United States Department of Agriculture. (General Technical Report WO-95). Retrieved from https://srs.fs.usda.gov/stateline/2017-08-17/resources/docs/gtr_wo95.pdf
• ² Dass, P., Houlton, B. Z., Wang, Y., & Warlind, D. 2018. Grasslands May Be A More Reliable Carbon Sinks Than Forests In California. Environmental Research Letters, 13 (2018) 074027. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aacb39
• ³ Bailey, P. (2015, July 28). Almonds Contribute Little To Carbon Emissions. University of California, Davis. https://caes.ucdavis.edu/news/articles/2015/07/almonds-contribute-little-to-carbon-emissions