North Carolina Peatland Restoration Aims to Combat Climate Change

North Carolina's peatlands, vital for carbon storage, are being restored to combat climate change and protect biodiversity.

Editorial Desk

September 9, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Belhaven, N.C. — The morning in Belhaven, North Carolina, begins with the calls of warblers, flycatchers, and sparrows echoing through the treetops. Deer browse on new growth, while black bears scavenge for food in the underbrush. This serene scene is part of a larger story about the region’s unique peatlands, which have drawn attention from scientists and investors due to their ecological significance.

The 23-square-mile (60-square-kilometer) area beneath the surface holds deep layers of peat up to 15 feet (5 meters) thick, making it a critical site for climate research. However, decades of drainage from ditches built for an abandoned farming project have left the land vulnerable to droughts, wildfires, and the release of 130,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually.

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Tripp Wall, CEO of Pantheon Regeneration, emphasizes the importance of preserving these lands from development. They’re incredible systems that have been climatologically resilient for thousands of years, he said. The company plans to restore the peatlands by blocking ditches, replanting native species, and selling carbon credits to fund broader conservation efforts across the Eastern Seaboard.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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