There is concern that the growing volume of human-caused carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will affect climate on a global scale. The PCOR Partnership is a collaborative effort of 77 public and private stakeholders working toward a better understanding of the technical and economic feasibility of capturing and storing carbon dioxide emissions from the central interior of North America.

The PCOR Partnership region includes the Prairie Pothole Region, a high-priority habitat conservation area for Ducks Unlimited. This region historically was dominated by grasslands and at one time may have supported more than 48 million acres of wetlands, making it the largest wetland complex in North America. However, fertile soils in this region resulted in the extensive loss of native wetlands as cultivated agriculture became the dominant land use, resulting in the depletion of soil organic carbon in wetlands.

Wetlands research by U.S. Geological Survey and Ducks Unlimited scientists for the PCOR Partnership demonstrated that restoration of previously farmed wetlands results in the rapid replenishment of soil carbon lost to cultivation. The finding that restored prairie wetlands are important carbon sinks provides a unique opportunity to store atmospheric carbon.

In 2005, the PCOR Partnership embarked on a 4-year field verification program designed to enhance the local expertise, experience, and working relationships needed to develop practical and environmentally sound carbon sequestration operations in the region. Ducks Unlimited is the recipient of a Department of Energy grant to lead the Terrestrial Carbon Sequestration Field Validation Tests for Phase II of the project.

Some of the most promising terrestrial sequestration methods will not only improve the quantity and quality of waterfowl habitat, but will also promote water and land management practices that enhance carbon buildup in vegetation and soils, reduce soil erosion, minimize soil disturbance, improve management of wetlands, eliminate summer fallow, and foster an increase in grasslands and forests.

The PCOR Partnership, one of seven regional partnerships funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership Program, is managed by the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Read more...

Project Update (April 2008)

For more information contact:

Jim Ringelman
Director of Conservation Programs 
Great Plains Regional Office
701-355-3504

Dawn Browne
Manager of Conservation Programs
Business Development and Technology
DU National Headquarters
901-758-3731

Randal Dell
Eco-Assets Research Assistant
DU National Headquarters
901-758-3879