The Nature Conservancy and WestRock Foundation announced a partnership for two conservation projects in Southeast Virginia and along the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. Aligning with The Nature Conservancy, whose mission is to conserve lands and water for people today and for future generations, further demonstrates WestRock’s commitment to sustainable forestry and environmental stewardship. “The Nature Conservancy thanks the WestRock Foundation for their generous support of our goal to restore longleaf pine forest in Virginia,” said Bill Kittrell, acting Director of The Nature Conservancy in Virginia. “This gift will allow us to expand the Big Woods Conservation Area and protect vital floodplain forest along the Nottaway river, which will preserve water quality, support rare species like the red-cockaded woodpecker, and one day be home to the returning longleaf pine tree.” click Read More below for additional detail

Colbert Packaging (colbertpkg.com) was presented the Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment award for Environmental Innovation from Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC). In its 33rd year, the goal of the statewide award is to recognize businesses for programs that demonstrate an innovative approach to environmental protection, or a level of effort beyond that which is required for regulatory compliance. “It’s an honor to receive this recognition from the WMC,” said Colbert President and COO, John Lackner. “As a converter of paperboard packaging solutions, we are committed to developing new and better ways to utilize fiber-based packaging as an alternative to plastics. Our commitment to the environment extends beyond our products, through all our business practices and out into the community.” Craig Summerfield, director of environmental and energy policy for WMC added, “Congratulations to our friends at Colbert Packaging for demonstrating their commitment to environmental protection, not because of some burdensome regulation, but because it’s good for the future.”

Resolute Forest Products Inc. announced that it, along with Serres Toundra Inc, has entered into a definitive agreement with CO2 Solutions Inc. to deploy leading enzyme-enabled carbon capture technology at Resolute's Saint-Félicien pulp mill. The C$7.4 million project involves the capture of up to 30 metric tons of CO2/day (tpd) from Resolute's softwood kraft pulp mill, the majority of the CO2 being transported to Serres Toundra's neighboring world-class vegetable greenhouse. By improving the performance of the greenhouse, while at the same time reducing the carbon emissions of the pulp mill, the reuse of the captured CO2 will provide tangible benefits to both Resolute and Serres Toundra. "We are pleased to host this innovative, first-of-its-kind project in the pulp and paper industry," stated Richard Garneau, president and chief executive officer of Resolute Forest Products. "Through our participation, we will reduce the carbon emissions from our Saint-Félicien mill, as well as support the scale-up of a low-cost carbon capture technology with the potential for broader deployment."