Arlington, Va. – Counterpart International will host a conference on Oct. 12 in Washington, D.C., to release preliminary findings of a major study on “blue carbon” in the Dominican Republic, as well as a discussion linking the need to engage coastal communities in the climate change process. It is open to the public. www.Counterpart.org

Distinguished ecologist and professor from Oregon State University Dr. Boone Kauffman will present the preliminary findings based on a recent research trip to the Dominican Republic. Kauffman is the author of newly approved market standards for blue carbon, which will open the door for increased private investment in wetland restoration and conservation projects through the issuance of internationally recognized carbon credits.

“His findings, along with the work of Counterpart and its partners, could pave the way for making Blue Carbon sequestration a powerful tool for reducing climate change, supporting sustainable coastal communities and protecting coastal ecosystems,” says Joan Parker, Ph.D., President and CEO of the nonprofit Counterpart. www.Counterpart.org

Blue carbon is a natural process by which marine plants capture carbon emissions from the atmosphere and store it for millennia in the sediment. Though mangroves and sea grasses are among the most carbon-rich sites in the world, they are also some of the fastest disappearing ecosystems on the planet.

WHEN:                Friday, Oct. 12

TIME:                  9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

WHERE:             Capital Hilton Hotel, 1001 16th St, NW, Washington, D.C.

INFORMATION: Registration is required. Please contact Lauren Oschman, loschman@counterpart.org; tel. (703) 236-1200

For more information about Blue Carbon and Counterpart International, visit https://www.counterpart.org/our-work/capabilities/blue-carbon

Counterpart International helps people build better lives and more durable futures, community by community. For 50 years, Counterpart has been an innovator, changing the way people look at, and solve, global development challenges. Today, we are working with more than 3,500 local organizations, and more than 150,000 leaders — including women and youth — in 24 countries around the world. Learn more atcounterpart17.wpengine.com.