In general terms, the baseline scenario of a carbon offset project is analyzing the land use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a project area if the project were not to occur. Having an accurate baseline scenario is a crucial step for carbon offset projects. This is because the removal/reduction of GHG emissions from the project will be compared to the GHG emissions from the baseline scenario. Thus, having huge implications on the amounts of carbon credits awarded to the project once run through a crediting GHG program like the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS).

Peatlands in Northern Minnesota are home to some of the most diverse and interesting ecosystems in the world. These wetland habitats have ecological importance for providing habitat to plenty of sphagnum mosses, sedges, and grasses, but also unique species of flora and fauna. From rare and endangered species to traditional knowledge and practices, peatlands play a vital role in the local environment and the preservation of biodiversity.

More than a third of Minnesota’s species of birds are said to be major users of peatland habitats, which shows the abundance in the region. With so many species to explore, it can be hard to narrow down the top ten peatland plants and animals in Northern Minnesota. However, to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of these habitats, we'll take a look at these fascinating species of plants and animals that call the peatlands of Northern Minnesota home, including important species that are rare, endangered, threatened and special concern status.

Mitigation Partners, Inc. (MPI) is aiming to restore thousands upon thousands of acres of drained and ditched Northern Minnesota peatlands. In a, nature-based solution, effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) through carbon sequestration. In that process, MPI has found the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) program to be the best guideline for these peatland projects. Read below to understand how VCS determines additionality and alternative baseline scenarios for rewetting drained peatlands.

Doing carbon offset projects on Minnesota’s peatlands could be a key player in the state's plan to mitigate and adapt to climate change. With numerous positive impacts covering many sectors, peatland restoration could be the future of restorative carbon offset projects in Minnesota.

In the process of moving the world to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), the development of carbon markets took shape. These markets allow companies, NGOs, and even individuals to trade emissions. This is done in the form of carbon credits, a verified and validated unit, where one credit equals one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent avoided, reduced, or removed from the atmosphere. Two markets exist where these units are traded, compliance markets and voluntary markets. Mitigation Partners, Inc. (MPI) is looking at what these two markets are and how they are regulated.

Mitigation Partners Inc. (MPI) is aspiring to restore thousands upon thousands of acres of drained and ditched peatland in Northern Minnesota. In our research to figure out how to put our restoration aspirations into reality, MPI came across Verra’s, Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) program methodologies. Within their methodology stockpile lies a treasure in the form of “Methodology for Rewetting Drained Temperate Peatlands” which can be found here. After reading and re-reading this methodology MPI came to understand this would be our template to restore peatlands and help mitigate the effects of climate change.

Geographic boundaries are a clear need for a successful project. Documentation such as tenure records, remotely sensed data, and certified topographic maps may be provided to demonstrate the clear delineation of the project’s boundary. In any event, the program requires coordinates and a distinct boundary in order to be verified. Of course, not all projects are going to have one contiguous piece of land serving as the project area.

Verra's flagship program comes in the form of The Verified Carbon Standard (VCS). VCS is the most highly used greenhouse gas (GHG) crediting program in the world (brush up on carbon credit basics here (Internal link to carbon credits article). This program puts carbon offset projects through a thorough process of development and evaluation before they are allowed to register with the VCS program. Being the leading GHG crediting program comes with a comprehensive set of principles and requirements to ensure projects are up to the VCS program pedigree

In total there are 12 conditions, most with sub-conditions, that cover a range of topics from project design to the baseline scenario to post-rewetting. For the purposes of this post MPI will cover a few of the more general, but vital conditions. If you are interested in going more in depth on the other conditions and the full range of their requirements MPI encourages you to take a look at the methodology document here.

Here at Mitigation Partners Inc. (MPI) is immense supporters of drained peatland restoration to help mitigate the effects of climate change. You may be wondering what impacts drained peatlands in Northern Minnesota have in terms of carbon emissions. Thankfully, “Impacts of historical ditching on peat volume and carbon in Northern Minnesota USA Peatlands” done through Michigan Technological University (MTU) and the USDA Forest Service took a look at just that. This post will summarize the key findings and put those findings into a global context.

Given the impacts of climate change, it is essential that the Midwest takes action to mitigate its effects. Mitigation strategies, such as restorative carbon sequestration projects can help reduce the impact of climate change. These projects can restore native prairies, rewet drained peatlands, and provide suitable habitats for native flora and fauna to thrive. Mitigating the negative impacts of climate change will increase the Midwest's resilience. Thus, allowing the economy, ecosystems, and public health to improve. Ultimately, it is of great importance that the Midwest takes action now in order to protect its ecosystems, economy, and people from the effects of climate change.

Doing carbon offset projects on Minnesota’s peatlands could be a key player in the state's plan to mitigate and adapt to climate change. With numerous positive impacts covering many sectors, peatland restoration could be the future of restorative carbon offset projects in Minnesota.

Due to the numerous positive benefits of NBS and their cost-effective and sustainable approach to environmental issues, they are becoming increasingly popular as a viable alternative to traditional engineering solutions. Minnesota contains a plethora of restorative carbon sequestration opportunities rooted in the Nature-based solutions framework. From the drained peatlands up north to the reforestation opportunities around the State. Mitigation Partners Inc. is committed to restoring natural habitats, improving biodiversity, creating economic opportunities, and improving the health of our Minnesota community.

The carbon cycle is an important part of the Earth's climate system. The cycle involves the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, land, and oceans. The land and oceans each have carbon sinks which store atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) for some time before it is released and cycles through again. It is an essential process for supporting life on Earth and overall environmental health. This relationship can be complex and takes long periods to study. However, a few simple explanations can make this topic more clear.

Carbon sequestration is an important topic of conversation in the world today. It involves capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it via biological, geological, or technological methods. Carbon sequestration aims to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Moving forward, this process is a critically important part of the effort to mitigate the effects of climate change.

The Midwest region of the United States is home to a diverse array of streams and rivers that serve as critical habitats for a variety of aquatic species, provide recreational opportunities for residents and visitors, and play a vital role in the region's ecosystem. In this blog post, we will explore some typical stream restoration techniques used in the Midwest.

The Midwest region of the United States is home to a diverse array of streams and rivers that serve as critical habitats for a variety of aquatic species, provide recreational opportunities for residents and visitors, and play a vital role in the region's ecosystem. In this blog post, we will explore some typical stream restoration techniques used in the Midwest.

What are you restoring for your mitigation bank project? A ditch, stream, wetland or stream and wetland complex? It matters and will affect the definition of the permanent conservation easement boundaries that will be placed over your restoration project. And each one has its own nuances and easement boundaries and regulations.

The Midwest region of the United States is home to a diverse array of streams and rivers that serve as critical habitats for a variety of aquatic species, provide recreational opportunities for residents and visitors, and play a vital role in the region's ecosystem. In this blog post, we will explore some typical stream restoration techniques used in the Midwest.

The definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) plays a crucial role in determining the scope of federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act (CWA), which is the primary federal law for protecting the quality of the nation's water resources. The CWA does not define WOTUS; rather, it provides the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the regulatory agencies that oversee the CWA, with the authority to define WOTUS in regulations. The definition of WOTUS has a long and complex history that has been shaped by a variety of legal, political, and environmental factors.