North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Green Swamp Preserve has been awarded $421 million for natural land conservation and restoration of more than 200,000 acres of coastal habitats, forests and farmland across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland.
The money comes from EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program.
“As we advance towards a clean energy future, it’s crucial to focus on conserving and restoring our natural resources,” said Gov. Roy Cooper. “This historic grant from the Biden-Harris administration will enhance our resilience against storms, boost tourism, and improve our efforts to remove carbon from the atmosphere.”
The North Atlantic Conservation Coalition (ACC) received the fourth-largest CPRG grant, which is the largest single award in EPA history for natural climate solutions. Each state involved will receive $50 million for “shovel-ready” projects.
The 21 projects planned by the coalition are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 28 million metric tons of CO2e by 2050. Projects include salt marsh restoration, farmland preservation, urban tree planting, and reforestation.
“Restored peatlands absorb floodwaters, which is critical for our hurricane-prone coast. They also provide habitat for wildlife, supporting our economy through activities such as hunting and wildlife watching,” said Katherine Skinner, executive director of the North Carolina Nature Conservancy.
The grant will fund the restoration of over 600 acres of coastal habitats, construction of living shorelines, reforestation of more than 55,000 acres, planting of 1,200 urban trees, and an expansion of the North Carolina State Park System by 3,300 acres. The Nature Conservancy will also work to preserve, restore, or improve 126,000 acres across the four states, including 33,000 acres in North Carolina.
The Green Swamp Preserve, managed by The Nature Conservancy, encompasses 15,655 acres of longleaf pine savannas and diverse plant life. Management activities include controlled burns and restoration of pine plantations to maintain these vital ecosystems.
