Virginia swamp re-wetting traps 200,000 tons of carbon a year

Environmental restoration efforts in Virginia and North Carolina are currently focused on re-wetting coastal peatlands to mitigate carbon emissions. By restoring water levels to areas previously impacted by drainage, agriculture, and timber operations, these projects successfully sequester approximately 200,000 tons of carbon annually.

Beyond carbon sequestration, the initiative serves to decrease the prevalence of severe peat fires by maintaining moisture in the soil. At the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, 37,000 acres have already undergone restoration to support these ecological goals.