The Illinois-based power company is one of several groups that received recognition and awards from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their support of reforestation efforts for the Mississippi Valley. In addition, the Foundation has facilitated corporate partnerships that have led to reforestation on substantial acreage of public lands in the Lower Mississippi Valley, which has helped migratory birds and the threatened Louisiana black bear. Utilitree Carbon Company, a consortium of more than 40 utility companies, was recognized for its sponsorship of more than 2,400 acres of reforestation on marginal farmland on four national wildlife refuges in the Lower Mississippi River Ecosystem as part of its Global Climate Challenge Program. This effort, as well as Illinova's reforestation commitment, will also be important in reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere through carbon sequestration. In addition, both the Utilitree and Illinova projects will significantly improve biodiversity on the refuges.
Carbon sequestration is the conversion of carbon dioxide gas into plant material.
Environmental Synergy Inc. was awarded for its sponsorship of combined biodiversity enhancement and carbon sequestration projects through reforestation on public lands in the Lower Mississippi Valley. This commitment will improve wildlife habitat and create significant benefits to water resources. The original bottomland hardwoods were cleared for agricultural use in the early 1980s. Decreased agricultural prices and the frequent flooding led to abandonment of the lands. These lands are now national wildlife refuges of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, but funding is inadequate to restore the bottomland hardwoods.