The newly aligned ASC Farm Standard version 1.0.1 represents a significant step forward in advancing responsible aquaculture practices, introducing updated requirements, processes, and expectations for certified farms.
While the standard officially comes into effect on August 1, 2026, the ASC has established a two-year transition period. During this time, aquaculture operations can voluntarily undergo assessments against the new standard, allowing farms, consultants, and stakeholders to prepare for future compliance and better understand what’s ahead.
Join us on Tuesday, June 30th for an informational session with Brian Ahlers, Technical Sales Manager, as he walks through the key elements of the updated standard. Attendees will gain clarity on the changes, explore the assessment process, and learn how to successfully navigate the transition toward the future state of ASC certification.
The newly aligned ASC Farm Standard version 1.0.1 represents a significant step forward in advancing responsible aquaculture practices, introducing updated requirements, processes, and expectations for certified farms.
While the standard officially comes into effect on August 1, 2026, the ASC has established a two-year transition period. During this time, aquaculture operations can voluntarily undergo assessments against the new standard, allowing farms, consultants, and stakeholders to prepare for future compliance and better understand what’s ahead.
Join us on Tuesday, June 30th for an informational session with Brian Ahlers, Technical Sales Manager, as he walks through the key elements of the updated standard. Attendees will gain clarity on the changes, explore the assessment process, and learn how to successfully navigate the transition toward the future state of ASC certification.
What originally brought you to GoDaddy, and what has convinced you to stay for nearly two decades?
I feel like I’ve had many different lives during my 18 years at GoDaddy.
It all started when I was sitting in a college class listening to a presentation about the company. I was immediately intrigued. At the time, I was only 18 years old and was taking college courses while still finishing high school. I actually remember having to leave work early one day to attend my high school graduation after already being hired on at GoDaddy.
I started in Sales and Support, known as C3 at the time, where many people began their GoDaddy journey. I spent about a year and a half there, but I’ve never really been someone who stays comfortable in one place for too long. I’m always looking for the next challenge and trying to figure out what my “next step” is.
That mindset led me into the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) department. After spending time there, I once again found myself looking for the next opportunity and eventually moved into Domain Services, working in domain legal disputes. I spent several years there and eventually worked my way up to becoming one of the department’s three Subject Matter Experts.
Eventually, I found myself at another crossroads. I had always been interested in software development, but I hadn’t finished college yet and didn’t really have formal engineering experience or training. I decided to go back to school while continuing to work in Domain Services and eventually completed my degree.
After graduating, the biggest question became: how do I actually make the leap into engineering?
At the time, there really wasn’t a clear internal pathway for someone already working at GoDaddy to transition into Software Engineering without prior experience. GoDaddy internships were typically designed for external students or recent graduates. But because of my unique situation, I was able to work closely with my managers, and the internship team to find a path forward. I was ultimately accepted into the internship program, even though I was already a GoDaddy employee.
I learned an incredible amount during that internship. At the end of the program, they decide whether to extend a full-time engineering offer. While I had grown a lot, I wasn’t quite ready yet. I needed a little more time to learn.
I wasn’t offered a permanent position at the time and returned to Domain Services, but I never let that discourage me. I was determined to make the transition into engineering one way or another.
Again, with the support of my managers, I was able to work alongside a small Internal Tools Engineering team that had been building software for us. They essentially allowed me to do an unofficial internship with the team so I could continue learning, contribute to tasks, and gain more hands-on experience. After about a year working with them, I officially applied, interviewed, and was hired onto the team permanently.
I’ve now been with that team for the past several years.
Honestly, my journey is exactly why I’ve stayed at GoDaddy for nearly two decades. There’s so much opportunity for growth here if you’re willing to pursue it. I’ve been fortunate to work with leaders and teams who genuinely wanted to see me succeed and were willing to help me carve out my own path, even when that path didn’t already exist.
The people and culture here have made all the difference. Because of that, I’ve never really felt the need to look anywhere outside of GoDaddy for what was next.
What accomplishment are you most proud of across your 18-year journey?
One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is successfully making the transition into Software Engineering and officially being hired onto the engineering side of the company.
It’s an incredibly competitive field, and even getting your foot in the door can be difficult. For me, it wasn’t a traditional path either. I went back to school later than most, finished my degree in my late 20s while still working full time, and was surrounded by interns and new graduates who were often much younger and coming directly out of college.
There were definitely moments where I questioned whether I was too late or whether I could realistically make the transition. But I kept pushing forward because it was something I genuinely wanted.
What makes it even more meaningful to me is that the journey didn’t happen overnight. I wasn’t immediately hired into engineering after my internship, and I had to continue learning, growing, and proving myself over time. Looking back now, I’m proud that I stayed persistent and didn’t let setbacks discourage me.
Eventually being officially hired onto the engineering team felt like the payoff for years of hard work, growth, and determination. It’s something I’ll always be proud of because I know how much effort it took to get there.
What’s one thing you wish more engineers understood about long-term collaboration?
I think one of the biggest things is patience and understanding.
Being on the engineering side now, I completely understand how busy engineers can be and how quickly priorities can pile up. But sometimes, taking just an extra minute to help someone who may not understand something yet can make all the difference in the world.
Throughout my career, I’ve experienced both sides of that. I’ve worked with people who were willing to take the time to help and mentor others, and I’ve also experienced situations where people weren’t as willing to slow down or explain things. The reality is that we all have to start somewhere, and nobody knows everything on day one.
One thing I’m really grateful for is that before becoming an engineer, I spent many years on the customer-facing side of the business. I know what it’s like to work directly with customers, understand their frustrations, hear their feedback, and experience their pain points firsthand.
That experience gave me a lot of empathy, and I think it’s helped shape the way I approach engineering work today. It allows me to understand both worlds, the technical side and the customer side, and I think that perspective has made me a stronger collaborator and engineer overall.
How do you create space for experimentation within the constraints of deadlines and priorities?
I think with the shift toward AI, experimentation has honestly become part of everyday work.
We’re constantly exploring new ways to use AI to become more productive, move faster, and work more efficiently. At the same time, we’re also testing its limits and trying to better understand what it’s truly capable of. In many ways, the experimentation is happening alongside the work itself rather than being completely separate from it.
For me, it’s about finding practical ways to integrate new technology into everyday workflows while still staying focused on priorities and deadlines. Sometimes that means testing a small idea, automating part of a process, or seeing if AI can help solve a problem more efficiently than before.
Technology is evolving so quickly right now that staying curious and continuing to experiment has become incredibly important.
A lot of the innovation is happening in real time, and I think engineers today have a unique opportunity to continuously learn while actively building and delivering at the same time.
What emerging technologies or trends excite you the most right now?
AI has definitely been a bit of a love/hate relationship for me as one of the biggest emerging technologies right now.
At first, it honestly made me less productive because I was spending so much time trying to figure it out, retrain it, reword prompts, and get it to actually do what I was asking. There was definitely a learning curve, and in the beginning, it sometimes felt more frustrating than helpful.
But it has improved tremendously from where it started, even though I still think there’s a long way to go.
At this point, AI has become integrated into a lot of my everyday life, both at work and outside of work. Some of the more tedious tasks that used to take a significant amount of time can now be completed much faster, which creates more room to focus on bigger ideas and problem solving.
What excites me the most is seeing where it all goes from here. The technology is evolving incredibly quickly, and I find myself using AI more and more as time goes on. Ironically, I was actually very hesitant to jump on the AI train in the beginning.
I think it really takes an open mind and a willingness to experiment in order to start seeing the potential and benefits of it. Once you do, it becomes exciting to imagine how much further the technology can still evolve.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work, I recently launched a small side business called Broroma, where I create hand-poured candles and wax melts made with clean-burning coconut apricot wax and modern, wood-forward scent profiles.
It has definitely been taking up a lot of my free time lately, but it has also been incredibly rewarding. I’ve really enjoyed developing every part of the process, from creating the company and building the website to developing the scents and actually pouring the candles and wax melts myself.
As someone who spends a lot of time in the technical world, it’s been a really fulfilling creative outlet for me. Being able to build something completely from scratch and share it with people has been an amazing experience.
I also love traveling and experiencing new places and food. Mexico definitely has my heart, so I find myself going there often, but I’ve been working on expanding my travels to more international destinations as well.
And of course, a huge part of my life outside of work is my Frenchie, Theo. He’s basically my baby and has a huge personality. Honestly, he’s like having another full-time job sometimes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.
What originally brought you to GoDaddy, and what has convinced you to stay for nearly two decades?
I feel like I’ve had many different lives during my 18 years at GoDaddy.
It all started when I was sitting in a college class listening to a presentation about the company. I was immediately intrigued. At the time, I was only 18 years old and was taking college courses while still finishing high school. I actually remember having to leave work early one day to attend my high school graduation after already being hired on at GoDaddy.
I started in Sales and Support, known as C3 at the time, where many people began their GoDaddy journey. I spent about a year and a half there, but I’ve never really been someone who stays comfortable in one place for too long. I’m always looking for the next challenge and trying to figure out what my “next step” is.
That mindset led me into the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) department. After spending time there, I once again found myself looking for the next opportunity and eventually moved into Domain Services, working in domain legal disputes. I spent several years there and eventually worked my way up to becoming one of the department’s three Subject Matter Experts.
Eventually, I found myself at another crossroads. I had always been interested in software development, but I hadn’t finished college yet and didn’t really have formal engineering experience or training. I decided to go back to school while continuing to work in Domain Services and eventually completed my degree.
After graduating, the biggest question became: how do I actually make the leap into engineering?
At the time, there really wasn’t a clear internal pathway for someone already working at GoDaddy to transition into Software Engineering without prior experience. GoDaddy internships were typically designed for external students or recent graduates. But because of my unique situation, I was able to work closely with my managers, and the internship team to find a path forward. I was ultimately accepted into the internship program, even though I was already a GoDaddy employee.
I learned an incredible amount during that internship. At the end of the program, they decide whether to extend a full-time engineering offer. While I had grown a lot, I wasn’t quite ready yet. I needed a little more time to learn.
I wasn’t offered a permanent position at the time and returned to Domain Services, but I never let that discourage me. I was determined to make the transition into engineering one way or another.
Again, with the support of my managers, I was able to work alongside a small Internal Tools Engineering team that had been building software for us. They essentially allowed me to do an unofficial internship with the team so I could continue learning, contribute to tasks, and gain more hands-on experience. After about a year working with them, I officially applied, interviewed, and was hired onto the team permanently.
I’ve now been with that team for the past several years.
Honestly, my journey is exactly why I’ve stayed at GoDaddy for nearly two decades. There’s so much opportunity for growth here if you’re willing to pursue it. I’ve been fortunate to work with leaders and teams who genuinely wanted to see me succeed and were willing to help me carve out my own path, even when that path didn’t already exist.
The people and culture here have made all the difference. Because of that, I’ve never really felt the need to look anywhere outside of GoDaddy for what was next.
What accomplishment are you most proud of across your 18-year journey?
One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is successfully making the transition into Software Engineering and officially being hired onto the engineering side of the company.
It’s an incredibly competitive field, and even getting your foot in the door can be difficult. For me, it wasn’t a traditional path either. I went back to school later than most, finished my degree in my late 20s while still working full time, and was surrounded by interns and new graduates who were often much younger and coming directly out of college.
There were definitely moments where I questioned whether I was too late or whether I could realistically make the transition. But I kept pushing forward because it was something I genuinely wanted.
What makes it even more meaningful to me is that the journey didn’t happen overnight. I wasn’t immediately hired into engineering after my internship, and I had to continue learning, growing, and proving myself over time. Looking back now, I’m proud that I stayed persistent and didn’t let setbacks discourage me.
Eventually being officially hired onto the engineering team felt like the payoff for years of hard work, growth, and determination. It’s something I’ll always be proud of because I know how much effort it took to get there.
What’s one thing you wish more engineers understood about long-term collaboration?
I think one of the biggest things is patience and understanding.
Being on the engineering side now, I completely understand how busy engineers can be and how quickly priorities can pile up. But sometimes, taking just an extra minute to help someone who may not understand something yet can make all the difference in the world.
Throughout my career, I’ve experienced both sides of that. I’ve worked with people who were willing to take the time to help and mentor others, and I’ve also experienced situations where people weren’t as willing to slow down or explain things. The reality is that we all have to start somewhere, and nobody knows everything on day one.
One thing I’m really grateful for is that before becoming an engineer, I spent many years on the customer-facing side of the business. I know what it’s like to work directly with customers, understand their frustrations, hear their feedback, and experience their pain points firsthand.
That experience gave me a lot of empathy, and I think it’s helped shape the way I approach engineering work today. It allows me to understand both worlds, the technical side and the customer side, and I think that perspective has made me a stronger collaborator and engineer overall.
How do you create space for experimentation within the constraints of deadlines and priorities?
I think with the shift toward AI, experimentation has honestly become part of everyday work.
We’re constantly exploring new ways to use AI to become more productive, move faster, and work more efficiently. At the same time, we’re also testing its limits and trying to better understand what it’s truly capable of. In many ways, the experimentation is happening alongside the work itself rather than being completely separate from it.
For me, it’s about finding practical ways to integrate new technology into everyday workflows while still staying focused on priorities and deadlines. Sometimes that means testing a small idea, automating part of a process, or seeing if AI can help solve a problem more efficiently than before.
Technology is evolving so quickly right now that staying curious and continuing to experiment has become incredibly important.
A lot of the innovation is happening in real time, and I think engineers today have a unique opportunity to continuously learn while actively building and delivering at the same time.
What emerging technologies or trends excite you the most right now?
AI has definitely been a bit of a love/hate relationship for me as one of the biggest emerging technologies right now.
At first, it honestly made me less productive because I was spending so much time trying to figure it out, retrain it, reword prompts, and get it to actually do what I was asking. There was definitely a learning curve, and in the beginning, it sometimes felt more frustrating than helpful.
But it has improved tremendously from where it started, even though I still think there’s a long way to go.
At this point, AI has become integrated into a lot of my everyday life, both at work and outside of work. Some of the more tedious tasks that used to take a significant amount of time can now be completed much faster, which creates more room to focus on bigger ideas and problem solving.
What excites me the most is seeing where it all goes from here. The technology is evolving incredibly quickly, and I find myself using AI more and more as time goes on. Ironically, I was actually very hesitant to jump on the AI train in the beginning.
I think it really takes an open mind and a willingness to experiment in order to start seeing the potential and benefits of it. Once you do, it becomes exciting to imagine how much further the technology can still evolve.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work, I recently launched a small side business called Broroma, where I create hand-poured candles and wax melts made with clean-burning coconut apricot wax and modern, wood-forward scent profiles.
It has definitely been taking up a lot of my free time lately, but it has also been incredibly rewarding. I’ve really enjoyed developing every part of the process, from creating the company and building the website to developing the scents and actually pouring the candles and wax melts myself.
As someone who spends a lot of time in the technical world, it’s been a really fulfilling creative outlet for me. Being able to build something completely from scratch and share it with people has been an amazing experience.
I also love traveling and experiencing new places and food. Mexico definitely has my heart, so I find myself going there often, but I’ve been working on expanding my travels to more international destinations as well.
And of course, a huge part of my life outside of work is my Frenchie, Theo. He’s basically my baby and has a huge personality. Honestly, he’s like having another full-time job sometimes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has proposed rescinding its 2024 climate-related disclosure rules, which were stayed before taking effect. If finalized, the proposal would eliminate the disclosure requirements contained in the rule.
What happened
On May 29, 2026, the SEC proposed rescinding the climate-related disclosure rules it adopted in March 2024. The proposal would remove the rule in its entirety, including requirements related to climate-related risks and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions disclosures in SEC filings.
The SEC has opened a 60-day public comment period before determining whether to finalize the rescission.
The 2024 climate disclosure rule never became effective. Following its adoption, multiple legal challenges were filed and the SEC stayed implementation pending judicial review. In March 2025, the SEC voted to cease defending the rule in litigation.
Who is affected
The proposal affects public companies that would have been subject to the 2024 climate-related disclosure requirements. It is also relevant to investors, boards of directors, audit committees and corporate reporting functions responsible for SEC disclosures.
Timing
The proposed rescission was issued on May 29, 2026.
The SEC is accepting public comments for 60 days following publication of the proposal in the Federal Register. After reviewing comments received, the Commission will determine whether to adopt a final rule rescinding the 2024 climate disclosure requirements.
Until that process is complete, the 2024 rule remains stayed and has not taken effect.
What you need to know
The proposal would rescind all provisions of the 2024 climate-related disclosure rule. In the proposing release, the SEC stated that it believes the rule exceeded the agency’s statutory authority and imposed costs that were not justified by the anticipated benefits.
The proposed rescission would not affect existing SEC disclosure requirements that require registrants to disclose material information, including material risks when applicable. It also would not affect climate-related reporting requirements established under state laws, international regulations or other regulatory frameworks.
Regulatory status
The proposal is not yet final. The SEC will review public comments before determining whether to adopt the rescission.
If finalized, the action would formally withdraw the 2024 climate-related disclosure rule, which has remained stayed since shortly after its adoption.
Looking for guidance on your ESG journey? Connect with a Baker Tilly specialist.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has proposed rescinding its 2024 climate-related disclosure rules, which were stayed before taking effect. If finalized, the proposal would eliminate the disclosure requirements contained in the rule.
What happened
On May 29, 2026, the SEC proposed rescinding the climate-related disclosure rules it adopted in March 2024. The proposal would remove the rule in its entirety, including requirements related to climate-related risks and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions disclosures in SEC filings.
The SEC has opened a 60-day public comment period before determining whether to finalize the rescission.
The 2024 climate disclosure rule never became effective. Following its adoption, multiple legal challenges were filed and the SEC stayed implementation pending judicial review. In March 2025, the SEC voted to cease defending the rule in litigation.
Who is affected
The proposal affects public companies that would have been subject to the 2024 climate-related disclosure requirements. It is also relevant to investors, boards of directors, audit committees and corporate reporting functions responsible for SEC disclosures.
Timing
The proposed rescission was issued on May 29, 2026.
The SEC is accepting public comments for 60 days following publication of the proposal in the Federal Register. After reviewing comments received, the Commission will determine whether to adopt a final rule rescinding the 2024 climate disclosure requirements.
Until that process is complete, the 2024 rule remains stayed and has not taken effect.
What you need to know
The proposal would rescind all provisions of the 2024 climate-related disclosure rule. In the proposing release, the SEC stated that it believes the rule exceeded the agency’s statutory authority and imposed costs that were not justified by the anticipated benefits.
The proposed rescission would not affect existing SEC disclosure requirements that require registrants to disclose material information, including material risks when applicable. It also would not affect climate-related reporting requirements established under state laws, international regulations or other regulatory frameworks.
Regulatory status
The proposal is not yet final. The SEC will review public comments before determining whether to adopt the rescission.
If finalized, the action would formally withdraw the 2024 climate-related disclosure rule, which has remained stayed since shortly after its adoption.
Looking for guidance on your ESG journey? Connect with a Baker Tilly specialist.
WHO: Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)
WHAT: Keynote Address: A Defining Moment for Public Health: Ushering in a New Era for Healthy Indoor Air
June 12, 2026 /3BL/ – At the 19th International Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ), Indoor Air 2026, IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon will deliver a keynote outlining why indoor air quality (IAQ) has reached a critical public health and economic inflection point. The address will focus on how overlapping themes are driving rapid industry momentum:
Awareness: Elevating healthy indoor air as essential infrastructure for resilience and human performance.
Research: Hard data linking IAQ to cognitive function and productivity, creating an undeniable business case.
Innovation: Breakthroughs in continuous monitoring, precise measurement, and scalable interventions.
About the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.
About the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air
The Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air is comprised of renowned international leaders and experts spanning public health, science, academia, policy and industry who are banding together to advance a Global Framework for Action for making healthy indoor environments the norm—not the exception—in all buildings everywhere. By charting a bold path forward and delivering a transdisciplinary strategy, the Commission seeks to empower decision-makers, accelerate innovation, unlock new sources of funding, shape policy and raise public awareness such that the health, economic and societal benefits of healthy indoor air are recognized, prioritized and realized at scale.
WHO: Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)
WHAT: Keynote Address: A Defining Moment for Public Health: Ushering in a New Era for Healthy Indoor Air
June 12, 2026 /3BL/ – At the 19th International Conference of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ), Indoor Air 2026, IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon will deliver a keynote outlining why indoor air quality (IAQ) has reached a critical public health and economic inflection point. The address will focus on how overlapping themes are driving rapid industry momentum:
Awareness: Elevating healthy indoor air as essential infrastructure for resilience and human performance.
Research: Hard data linking IAQ to cognitive function and productivity, creating an undeniable business case.
Innovation: Breakthroughs in continuous monitoring, precise measurement, and scalable interventions.
About the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.
About the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air
The Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air is comprised of renowned international leaders and experts spanning public health, science, academia, policy and industry who are banding together to advance a Global Framework for Action for making healthy indoor environments the norm—not the exception—in all buildings everywhere. By charting a bold path forward and delivering a transdisciplinary strategy, the Commission seeks to empower decision-makers, accelerate innovation, unlock new sources of funding, shape policy and raise public awareness such that the health, economic and societal benefits of healthy indoor air are recognized, prioritized and realized at scale.
The framework for assessing global risk has shifted significantly in recent years, moving toward a more holistic understanding of how our natural world supports every level of society. Understanding these systemic connections allows us to identify where our greatest risks – and our greatest strengths – truly lie.
According to the World Economic Forum Global Risk Report 2026, three of the top five risks facing our world today are climate-related: extreme weather events, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse, and critical change to Earth systems. This assessment serves as a clear call to action, signaling that future resiliency depends on our ability to protect and restore these foundational systems that underpin the global economy.
The natural world is humanity’s greatest ally in the fight against climate change. Forests, wetlands, prairies and other wild ecosystems are better at capturing carbon at scale than any technology we have today, and they keep our air and water cleaner while supporting healthy soils and species biodiversity.
Nature-based climate solutions focused on protecting and restoring the world’s ecosystems can provide over a third of the climate mitigation needed through 2030 to meet the goals of the Paris agreement. That’s why corporate foundations like the Everpure Foundation are focused on nature-based solutions as a way to invest in both climate mitigation and community resilience.
Founded over 10 years ago by the data management company Everpure, the Everpure Foundation makes strategic grants in support of the environment, workforce development, and basic human needs and disaster response.
We recently spoke with two of the Everpure Foundation’s flagship environmental grantees who are leveraging the power of nature to fight climate change while supporting community resilience from the Great Lakes to the Czech Republic.
The Nature Conservancy protects and restores peatlands in Minnesota
“Peatlands cover only 3 percent of the Earth’s surface, but they store 33 percent of global soil carbon,” says Carl McGuinness, natural climate solutions director for The Nature Conservancy, a global environmental nonprofit and 2025 Everpure Foundation grantee.
That means peatlands store twice as much carbon as all of the world’s forests combined, not to mention roughly 10 percent of global freshwater.
“Peatlands are a type of ancient wetland. They’ve been around for millennia, and you find them all over the world,” McGuinness explains. Often called bogs, fens or swamps, peatlands form as plant material slowly decays in waterlogged soils over thousands of years — resulting in a gradual buildup, layer upon layer, of carbon-dense peat soil.
Along with capturing carbon, peatlands filter water, regulate water flow, provide habitat for wildlife, and reduce flooding impacts. “They are amazing systems,” says McGuinness.
For over 15 years, The Nature Conservancy has coordinated efforts to protect and restore global peatlands to mitigate climate change. In North America, that work includes the peatland capital of the contiguous United States: Minnesota.
Minnesota is home to more than 6 million acres of peatlands, covering about a tenth of its total land area. As impressive as that is, the state actually lost about a sixth of its peatlands to ditching and draining for agriculture and other uses in the early 20th century, according to The Nature Conservancy.
When peatlands are drained, the once-waterlogged plant matter begins to dry out and decompose, slowly releasing centuries worth of stored carbon back into the atmosphere. Research supported by The Nature Conservancy recently found that Minnesota’s previously drained peatlands still contribute around 38,000 metric tons of carbon emissions each year.
While it is important to consider that environmental damage from a century ago still contributes to climate change today, it also means there’s big potential to positively impact global emissions by restoring peatlands to their former natural state.
In Minnesota alone, “restoring and re-wetting farmed and partially-drained peatlands could mitigate more than 1 million metric tons of carbon per year — equivalent to removing 233,000 gasoline-powered cars from the road each year,” the research found.
The Nature Conservancy has supported Minnesota state agencies and universities in their work to map and restore drained peatlands since 2021. Researchers from the nonprofit created the “Playbook for Minnesota Peatlands” to guide state restoration efforts and supported the development of the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources’ Potentially Restorable Peatlands mapping tool to better understand feasibility and climate mitigation potential.
“Local partners are always key to how we operate,” McGuinness says. “We look for locally-led solutions that are durable and relevant to local communities, and that’s built through major partner alliances.”
Research and capacity-building support from The Nature Conservancy and its funders like the Everpure Foundation helped Minnesota qualify for federal funding to take its work even further. The state received $20 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program in 2024, including $4 million made available to tribal nations. “Without funding [from the Everpure Foundation], we wouldn’t have been able to provide the capacity and capability building needed to make this possible,” McGuinness says. “It’s also going to help us take these learnings and share them globally. We have a whole network of peatland projects around the world, including in places like Indonesia, Ecuador, Mongolia, Patagonia and New Zealand.”
In Minnesota, nearly 20 restoration projects were underway at high-potential sites as of January 2026, with restoration work that includes plugging ditches, re-wetting and planting native vegetation, according to the Board of Water and Soil Resources.
Several of the state’s tribal nations, who have long recognized the importance of peatlands as a source of food, clean water and habitat for wildlife, are now part of a Tribal Peatland Working Group to share knowledge on restoration practices.
“Peatlands restoration work in Minnesota is being pursued by a broad coalition of partners at all levels of government, nonprofits and research organizations,” Suzanne Rhees, who manages peatland restoration programs for the Board of Water and Soil Resources, said in a statement earlier this year. “We’re excited to see such strong engagement and support to protect this valuable resource.”
Sázíme Stromy plants trees for climate mitigation and community in the Czech Republic
In another unique take on nature-based solutions, the nonprofit Sázíme Stromy (We Plant Trees) is working with local and international volunteers to rewild more rural countryside in the Czech Republic with benefits for both environmental and community wellbeing.
When the former Czechoslovakia was under communist rule from the 1940s through 1980s, large tracts of family farmland were converted to monoculture, the practice of growing one crop in a field at a time. Trees were felled and diverse fields were unified into sprawling single plots suitable for heavy machines.
Though it improved efficiency in the short term, the move to mass monoculture ultimately accelerated soil erosion, drove water pollution, and diminished biodiversity.
“These fields are almost dead because of the large machinery,” says Martina Pavelkova, founder of Sázíme Stromy.
As their name implies, Sázíme Stromy is working to rewild more of the Czech Republic’s rural areas by planting native trees and fruit trees within rural communities. The nonprofit has planted nearly 40,000 trees over the past six years and returns regularly to tend to them with the help of volunteers.
Along with sequestering carbon, bringing more native trees back to the Czech countryside builds benefits like temperature control and biodiversity preservation along with enhancing local quality of life.
“By planting trees, we are bringing life back into the fields, and we are also bringing people back into the fields because otherwise they cannot easily pass through such huge areas,” Pavelkova says.
In many areas, traveling from one village to another, even if they are near each other, requires a motor vehicle. Planting trees serves to “renew” paths between villages, encouraging people to walk or bicycle, she says.
“Then, of course, the trees bring shade. They cool the landscape. They protect the soil against water and wind erosion,” she explains. “They serve as shelter for animals, birds, and insects. They support biodiversity in the fields because otherwise, the fields are dead.”
Local and international businesses donate money to support the tree-plantings, and municipalities receive the trees as a gift, signing an agreement with Sázíme Stromy to take care of them for the next 10 years with the help of volunteers. Everpure employees and the Everpure Foundation have worked with Sázíme Stromy for years, volunteering to care for trees and granting funds to support the nonprofit’s ongoing work in the Czech Republic.
“We always try to bring as many people together as possible. When we are planting a new alley, there are employees of the donating company, local people and representatives of the municipality,” Pavelkova says. “We believe that if people connect, it is best for the healthy growth of the trees.”
Putting vision into action: Supporting community-led nature-based programs
In 2025, the Everpure Foundation redesigned its environmental grantmaking program, committing 60 percent of its annual strategic grants budget to nature-based solutions and community-led transitions to low-carbon energy like solar and wind.
“The natural world is our most powerful partner in fighting climate change, capable of delivering over a third of the climate fixes we desperately need. By funding nature-based projects, we aren’t just investing in the planet’s future — we’re bringing ecosystems back to life and building stronger, healthier communities for everyone,” says Julie Lata, executive director of the Everpure Foundation.
This vision is already turning into real-world action. Through its collaboration with The Nature Conservancy and Sázíme Stromy, the Everpure Foundation is transforming its funding into lasting benefits for the planet, locally and around the world.
Before sunrise each day, Gebremedihin Gebrekidan walks to his small farm in Gera Kebele, Walwa village, Abergelle Yichila woreda, in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. A widower and father of six, he carries the full responsibility of parenting in an area repeatedly affected by drought and the lingering impacts of conflict in northern Ethiopia.
Despite his relentless effort, the harvest from his land only sustains his family for four to five months each year. The remainder of the year is marked by struggle, scarcity, and uncertainty. Yet Gebremedihin continues to do everything possible to provide for his children.
A Child’s Sudden Illness
The most difficult moment of his life came when his four-year-old son, Adhen Gebremedihin, suddenly fell seriously ill. His body began to swell and he developed a fever. Alarmed and desperate, Gebremedihin first took him to a nearby health post, but the severity of the condition required urgent referral to Yichila Primary Hospital.
“I was deeply sad,” he recalled quietly. “When I lost my wife, I lost many things. At that moment, I felt like I was losing my child too.”
The diagnosis confirmed his worst fear: severe acute malnutrition. Although Gebremedihin had been feeding his children with whatever food was available, it was not enough. The situation was even more painful because his son had previously been treated for the same condition only months earlier.
“I felt like I had failed to feed my own child,” he said.
Lifesaving Treatment and Renewed Hope
Hope returned when Adhen was admitted and began receiving treatment free of charge through support from the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) For three weeks, he received intensive medical care while his father stayed by his side. During this period, Gebremedihin was also supported with meals, easing the burden of his stay.
For a father who had left his farm unattended, the support meant everything. Each day brought visible improvement in his son’s condition.
“I was very happy to see my son improving,” he said with relief. “I left my farm work for more than three weeks, and I knew no one was taking care of it. But I did not mind because my son is my priority.”
Strengthening Health Services in Crisis Contexts
Yichila Primary Hospital serves more than 180,000 people across six woredas and treats approximately 30 malnourished children every month. According to Nuredin Mohammed, Nutrition and Stabilization Centre focal person, recurring droughts and poor harvests continue to drive severe food insecurity in the area.
Through the ECHO supported “Integrated Multi-Sector Emergency Response to Populations Affected by Conflict and Violence” project, Action Against Hunger provided essential medicines, medical equipment, transportation support, and meals for caregivers. Health workers also received training to strengthen their capacity to manage severe acute malnutrition and save more lives.
“For us as health professionals, it is heartbreaking to see children suffer while we know they can be treated,” he explained. “Before this support, the hospital faced shortages of medicine, equipment, water, sanitation materials, and even food for caregivers.”
“We are the first to feel healed when we see children recover,” Nuredin added with a smile. “Many parents do not immediately connect swollen bodies with lack of proper food. Some first turn to traditional healers. But when they see recovery, they regain hope.”
Restoring Health, Dignity, and Resilience
Health workers continue to advise families to feed children as frequently as possible with available food and to ensure safe drinking water. However, for many households in drought-affected communities, survival remains a daily struggle. Gebremedihin hold onto hope for his son’s future.
“I want my child to become a Prime Minister,” he said.
Through this project, urgent humanitarian assistance is reaching families facing crisis, enabling children to survive and recover through nutrition treatment, healthcare, safe water, and sanitation services. In Abergelle Yichila woreda alone, more than 300 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition received life-saving treatment in 2025. Behind each number is a child fighting for recovery and a parent refusing to give up hope.
Beyond emergency response, the project is also strengthening local health systems, improving access to essential services, and promoting better nutrition and hygiene practices. These efforts are helping communities not only survive the current crisis but also build resilience for the future.
***
Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 26.5 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,500+ dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.
