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Upscaling regenerative farming
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At COmON, we take pride in providing vital support for The Nature Conservancy's essential conservation work in Texas, with a special focus on the significance of blue carbon. Coastal wetlands, acting as natural filters for our air and water, play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change's impacts and serve as a continuous carbon sink, storing carbon in concentrations up to five times higher than rainforests. Texas, which produces 13% of U.S. carbon emissions—the highest percentage in the country—represents an intriguing opportunity for blue carbon initiatives.
TNC is undertaking various stages of blue carbon market projects worldwide, from Virginia (U.S.) and the Bahamas to New Zealand and Australia. Now, with COmON's generous funding, they are excited to explore the potential right here in Texas. The initial steps involve mapping the existing wetland areas and predicting their migration patterns due to climate change and sea-level rise.
In addition to mapping, they are undertaking a range of demonstration projects to quantify the carbon benefits of different conservation and restoration initiatives. Some of these projects are located within TNC's protected areas along the Texas coast, such as the Francine Cohn Preserve near Corpus Christi, home to species like the piping plover and reddish egret. These protected sites serve as living laboratories where TNC collects data and measures the carbon benefits of various restoration strategies, including erosion control methods, hydrological restoration, and the use of dredged material to stabilize shorelines and restore wetlands.
Investing in nature's resilience: Partnering with The Nature Conservancy to safeguard Texas's future through blue carbon conservation.
TNC's efforts are not solitary; they collaborate closely with property owners, restoration practitioners, and land and resource managers to identify and secure promising sites for blue carbon projects. Establishing blue carbon in Texas could help landowners secure funds for the long-term protection and management of their wetland properties.
Furthermore, they partner with local communities and organizations to raise awareness of the immense value of coastal wetlands for both people and nature. These habitats support the growth and survival of hundreds of species, including scores of shorebirds and commercially important fish and shellfish species that are critical to the Gulf economy.
With robust scientific knowledge and hard data in hand, the next step is to develop an action plan for evaluating the potential for blue carbon initiatives along the Texas Gulf Coast. By pioneering innovative ways to protect the coastal wetlands, TNC can simultaneously defend biodiversity, stabilize the climate, and safeguard coastal communities from the escalating hazards of climate change.
