Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge

In the nation’s first large-scale carbon sequestration project, the Fund joined forces with American Electric Power, Environmental Synergy Inc., and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2001 to protect and restore more than 18,000 acres of bottomland hardwood forest near Catahoula Lake in central Louisiana. The multifaceted project created a large carbon sink, which will capture more than 7 million tons of greenhouse gases over then next 70 years. At the same time, it tripled the Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge, a world-class wetlands system and a haven for migratory birds in the Mississippi Delta.

Acres for America
With a capstone grant from Acres for America, a conservation program announced by Wal-Mart and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in April 2005, The Conservation Fund acquired more than 6,000 acres for the Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge as part of the ongoing effort to restore bottomland hardwood forests in the Mississippi River Delta. The newly acquired lands permanently safeguard important wildlife habitat and enhance public recreation opportunities for hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

Partner support includes American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), the North American Wetlands Conservation Council, the Louisiana congressional delegation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.