Internationalizing the Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership Dr. Karla Heidelberg U.S. Department of State (for George Olson)

Public/private collaboration of government agencies, business, and NGOs to preserve and restore wetlands and associated habitats. Sagamore Marsh Restoration, MA Ed Bills Pond Fish Ladder, CT What is the CWRP? Business, the new player – provides key match needed to leverage government & foundation funds, for government-approved projects

PARTNERS  Federal Partners: Coastal America Partnership comprised of 12 government entities (Agriculture, Air Force, Army, Navy, Commerce, Defense, Energy, HUD, Interior, State, Transportation, US EPA) Executive Office of the President, CEQ - Chair  Community State & Local Governments NGOs (e.g., Ducks Unlimited and The Nature Conservancy) Universities (e.g., UMASS and URI)  > 140 Corporate Partners

Sponsor  National Association of Manufacturers Corporate Members  Duke Energy, Chair  The Gillette Company, Founding Corp. & Vice Chair  Battelle  ENSR International  FMC Corporation  JEM Environmental, Founder Advisors  Restore America’s Estuaries  Coastal America Organized by a National Advisory Council

 Voluntary Participation with contributions to 501(3)(c) Foundation Mitigation projects & permit-related conditions, not accepted  Simple goal: Preservation, enhancement, restoration, & education  Organization: National Council coordinating State Boards Key Points for National Program

BP Exploration Restore America’s Estuaries (PAC-NW) Dow Chemical Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline PSEG & LME Consulting (NY/NJ & Mid-Atlantic) Duke Energy & Gillette Implementation Status Duke Energy Battelle (FL & Southeast) Legend Established Framework & Process Developed Early Planning Stages Not Yet Active Gillette (MA & NE) ESS & Narragansett Elec. Jacques Whitford & PSNH NE Utilities & Duracell

Results to Date  > 140 Corporate Partners cooperating with state and federal agencies and NGOs.  > $2.5 million in pledged funds & in-kind services used to leverage > $10 M in matching state/federal grants.  Initiated 85 projects nationwide.  20 restoration projects completed to date > 1000 acres of aquatic habitat restored > 300 linear miles of riparian & anadromous fish habitat opened.

Benefits of Partnership  Tax-deductible contributions provide local match required to leverage federal dollars.  Expedites project implementation.  Improves stakeholder buy in/trust for environmental awareness.  Expands public-private partnerships.  Unique opportunity for corporate citizenship.  Tangible improvements & highly visible projects.  Positive media/public relations & high-level recognition.  Clear societal, environmental & economic benefits.

Support & Recognition  Presidential recognition (Bush I and II) “My Administration strongly supports efforts like this that bring together a variety of resources – public, corporate, and nonprofit – that meet common goals and address challenging environmental and economic needs. I appreciate your dedication to making this partnership grow and succeed in restoring our wetlands and aquatic resources.” - President George W. Bush  Widespread bipartisan endorsement  Support of regulatory agencies & community groups

High-level recognition

CWRP makes good sense! Benefits for the community, environment and business.

Internationalizing CWRP (ICWRP)  Adapt highly flexible framework & processes of CWRP to different international situations.  Develop self-sustaining international stakeholder consortiums.  Enhance existing organizations and create new synergies (no need for new institutions) Objectives

 Duke Energy providing leadership for the development of a similar program in Canada  Gillette providing leadership for a modified program designed for developing countries Developing broad international frameworks utilizing existing international structures with similar missions. Working on two program options International Ramsar Convention for Wetlands

I-CWRP Framework

UNESCO World Heritage Program COUNTRY RAMSAR Priority Site Selection/Priority - Target sites already recognize as important - Use existing international program structure

I-CWRP – “Potential” Partners  Primary Agencies/Foundations: Ramsar, UNESCO & UNF  Special Advisors Other UN Agencies, Coastal America/CAF, US State Dept., US FWS, NOAA, EPA, related agencies in other countries.  Business Gillette & Duke Energy, UNF Members, CWRP Partners (e.g., BP, GE), Advisors (e.g., NAM, International Chamber of Commerce)  Conservation Groups The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, Restore America's Estuaries, Sierra Club, Audubon, WWF, BirdLife Inter., & National Geographic Society.  Academia: Both in country and US programs  Local Communities: Involvement critical. Developing mechanisms to ensure local involvement

Visit our websites at Contact: George L. Olson The Gillette Company CWRP National Advisory Council, Vice-Chair