Director’s Corner
As we move towards summer, the number of CLF – REPI program partnerships continues to grow, providing the CLF Team with ever more opportunities to protect military readiness and preserve open space, working lands, and forests.
CLF’s Board of Trustees and staff are looking forward to attending DoD’s Climate Resilience Workshop this summer in St. Louis. CLF is hosting an evening reception during the workshop and will present the 2023 Military Readiness and Conservation award to this year’s deserving recipient.
I am pleased to share with you some highlights since our last newsletter.
Compatible Lands Foundation Kicks-Off Our Second REPI Partnership in Alaska
Throughout the week of May 15, 2023, Fort Wainwright senior staff and CLF team members met with leadership from federal and state agencies, local government, and other stakeholders interested in supporting Fort Wainwright’s ACUB program. Participating
stakeholder organizations included: the US Bureau of Land Management; USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service; US Fish & Wildlife Service; Alaska Department of Natural Resources/Division of Forestry and Fire Protection; State of Alaska Division of Land, Mining, and Water; Fairbanks Soil & Water Conservation District; US Army Corps of Engineers; and the Fairbanks North Star Borough. The kick-off meetings helped strengthen mutually beneficial partnerships and prioritize geographical areas for initial landowner engagement
efforts in support of Fort Wainwright’s military readiness and resilience.
“We are excited to partner with the Compatible Lands Foundation. Their extensive knowledge and
expertise will help us implement this important program to meet Fort Wainwright’s current and future mission needs” said Matthew Sprau, Chief, Planning Branch, DPW Environmental Division, USAG Alaska.
Camp Shelby Forest Carbon REPI Buffer
CLF continues to lead the way with the DoD REPI program’s first Climate Resiliency Buffer program. Our forest carbon team recently completed all requirements and onsite inspections under California’s Carbon Cap & Trade program. Our latest reporting period resulted in the State of California awarding an additional 5,320 metric tons of sequestered carbon (offsets) to Compatible Lands Foundation.
Fort Cavazos (Hood) Army Compatible Use Buffer Program
CLF recently finalized conservation easements on two priority properties, protecting an additional 82-acres under the Fort Cavazos ACUB program. Both easements will limit development and protect open space while supporting military readiness. With the addition of these two properties placed under easement, CLF has now protected approximately 7,000 acres of ACUB lands near the Army installation formerly known as Fort Hood.
CLF Team Member Highlight
Chad Henry, Chairman, CLF Board of Trustees
Mr. Henry has over three decades of experience in land management, engineering, encroachment, and compliance issues, including authoring the Army’s Range and Training Land Strategy and assisting in the development and implementation of DoD’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program.
Mr. Henry retired from the military after 26 years of service in the Army, including assignments in Europe, South America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Additionally, he served as the reserve instructor Sergeant Major for the Engineer School at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
Mr. Henry holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management and Spatial Information Management Systems from Colorado State University.
Chad is currently Senior Vice President, Operations for CATHEXIS.