Mingo National Wildlife Refuge goes gold
The Conservation Fund Announces First Gold Level Project in U.S. Under the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance Standards, Second Edition
POPLAR BLUFF, MO—The Conservation Fund, in partnership with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Environmental Synergy Inc. (ESI), announced today that its forest-based carbon sequestration project in southeastern Missouri received Gold validation, the highest level available, under the standards of the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA). The Conservation Fund is the first group in the nation to receive Gold validation under the CCB Standards Second Edition.
Supported by donations from the Fund’s voluntary carbon offset program, Go Zero®, the group restored 367 acres of walnut, hickory, oak and cypress trees at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge (Mingo NWR), near Puxico, Missouri. As the forest matures, it is expected to trap an estimated 100,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which is equivalent to taking approximately 18,000 cars off the road.
When settlers first came to Missouri’s Bootheel region, lush bottomland hardwood forests, including giant cypress and tupelo trees, blanketed the southeastern corner of the state. Over the past century, the forests were cut for lumber, and by the 1930s, most of the land was cleared and the swamplands were drained.
“Today, Mingo Refuge protects the largest remaining bottomland hardwood forest in southeastern Missouri,” said Mingo National Wildlife Refuge manager Ben Mense. “Thanks to the Go Zero project, we were able to restore forest habitat that benefits migratory birds, the endangered Indiana bat and many other species.”
The restored forests will be open to the public for wildlife-dependent recreational uses.
Go Zero works with companies and individuals to help reduce and then offset the carbon footprint of everyday activities, such as the CO2 emissions resulting from an in-town or cross-country move with U-Haul, a flight purchased from Travelocity, a package shipped from Gaiam or the electricity it takes to power a Dell notebook for three years. Customer donations help plant native trees in protected parks and wildlife refuges like Mingo NWR that will capture and store carbon over time, while also creating forest habitats that are critical to birds, fish, bears and other wildlife.
“Go Zero donors are providing critical, private capital that will help address two of the most extraordinary environmental challenges of our time, climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.
Learn more about climate change and habitat loss,” said The Conservation Funds Go Zero director, Jena Meredith. “The Gold Level validation ensures these donations deliver real, measurable results to help address climate change and restore important wildlife habitat on behalf of the National Wildlife Refuge System and the American people.”
The Conservation Fund’s Go Zero program planted its one millionth tree at Mingo NWR this year. Watch the video to learn more.
USFWS
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit
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The Conservation Fund
The Conservation Fund is dedicated to advancing America’s land and water legacy. With our partners, we conserve land, train leaders and invest in conservation at home. Since 1985, we have helped protect more than 6 million acres, sustaining wild havens, working lands and vibrant communities. Were a top-ranked conservation organization, effective and efficient.
http://www.conservationfund.org
More than 100,000 trees were planted on Mingo NWR to help restore portions of it to it original bottomland hardwood forest habitat.
Photo courtesy TCF.
