Carbon and Climate Upper Ouachita

This project has been verified at Gold Level under the Climate, Community and Biodiversity (CCB) Standard, audited by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) and in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (US FWS).

Until the early part of the 20th century, these fields were dense hardwood forests. However, over the years, these lush forests have given way to agricultural pressures leaving behind a drastically altered environment. We ensure that native species reclaim their land.

The Conservation Fund is working to protect and restore the Upper Ouachita NWR through our voluntary carbon program that allows individuals and companies the opportunity to measure, reduce and offset their carbon footprint by planting trees. Through generous corporate partners and donors, the Fund has planted more than 1 million native oak, pecan and hickory trees across the Refuge. As the forests grow, they’ll increase the land’s ability to store water and decrease floods in communities downstream, including the city of Monroe. They will also help to filter the water, improving the water quality and clarity for downstream communities.

“While those who live upstream may not notice that the water is a little clearer, or that the river doesn’t rise as high next year, those of us downstream will take note, and we are grateful for all of the partners and donors who have helped make this project a reality.”

–Harris Brown, president of the Tensas Basin Levee District in Monroe

Benefits

Wildlife: deer, turkey, alligator, bald eagle, Louisiana black bear and 265 species of migratory birds
Water: cleaner and clearer water for downstream communities
Economy: job creation, decreased flooding impacts, and local tourism
Recreation: hiking, fishing, birdwatching, hunting, and education

Why Plant At Upper Ouachita NWR?
Photo courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

This image shows the Ouachita River, with manmade levees on the left. Thanks to a multi-year partnership between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Army Corps of Engineers and other nonprofits, these levees are being breached and the river is returning to its natural ebb and flow. Healthy bottomland forest blanket’s the river’s right banks; and soon, healthy forests will surround the left too.

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Upper Ouachita Planting Area

This area of Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge was cleared for agricultural use in the early part of the last century. Our efforts will restore the native forest habitat and is part of the restoration of about 2,600 acres of native forest along the Ouachita River, of which the Dell Plant a Tree for Friend campaign is a part.
Planting The Seedlings At Upper Ouachita

Planters carry the seedlings of hickory, oak and cypress in baskets during planting at Upper Ouachita NWR.
Planting Preparations

The Dell donation of 108,000 trees is part of our efforts to plant more than 750,000 seedlings here. A lot of effort went into planting these seedlings, which took place on a sunny, cool weekend in late December 2011.

Benefits

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