May 11, 2006
Contact: Jena Thompson, 703.525.6300
Austin, Texas – The Conservation Fund, International Paper (IP) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced today the protection of 1,800 acres of bottomland hardwood forest, bayous and cypress ponds in Liberty County. The newly protected forestland was incorporated into the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, located 45 miles northeast of Houston, and will create new public opportunities for hunting, fishing and birdwatching.
The Conservation Fund's Texas Director, Andy Jones, praised the partnership that made this acquisition possible: "Thanks to the commitment of International Paper and USFWS and the support of our strong foundation partners, Houston Endowment Inc., The Meadows Foundation and the T.L.L. Temple Foundation, we’re demonstrating the extraordinary results that can be achieved when public and private partners work together to create balanced conservation solutions."
The Trinity National Wildlife Refuge boasts more than 200 species of birds, 600 plant species and more than 400 vertebrate species. The area also provides important breeding, wintering and stopover habitat for a variety of migratory wildlife, including waterfowl and numerous neotropical birds.
“Our stewardship program was designed with three goals in mind – to protect migratory birds, vulnerable wetlands and biological diversity,” said refuge manager Stuart Marcus. “The Fund’s ability to leverage limited funding and bring diverse interests to the table to find common ground has made some of this deal possible, and provided significant benefits to the environment and the quality of life of the citizens of east Texas."
Previously, The Conservation Fund and USFWS have worked together to protect more than 4,200 acres of bottomland hardwood habitat for the Trinity River refuge and nearly one million acres for refuges nationwide.
“International Paper is always proud to partner with The Conservation Fund and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in protecting biodiversity. We're very pleased that this acreage has been added to the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge,” said Dr. Sharon G. Haines, IP’s director of sustainable forestry and forest policy. “Our partnership provides a sustainable solution that yields benefits today and for future generations.”
Funds from the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, supported by revenue collected from Federal Duck Stamp sales, import duties collected on arms and ammunition, right-of-way payments to the refuge system and receipts from national wildlife refuge entry fees also helped make this acquisition possible.
Located approximately 50 miles from the Big Thicket National Preserve, the refuge is benefiting from the wave of ecotourism efforts spreading through east Texas. On May 2, 2006, The Conservation Fund and Fermata, Inc. convened a task force in Nacogdoches to help spur additional land protection and sustainable economic development in the Pineywoods region of East Texas.
Headquartered in the United States, International Paper (www.internationalpaper.com) businesses include paper, packaging and forest products. As one of the largest private landowners in the world, IP’s professional foresters and wildlife biologists manage its forests with great care in compliance with the rigorous standards of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® program. The SFI® program is an independent forest certification system that ensures the perpetual planting, growing and harvesting of trees while protecting biodiversity, wildlife, plants, soil, water and air quality. The company also has a long-standing policy of using no wood from endangered forests.
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