ANTARTICA - Ducks Unlimited&squo;s (DU) innovative grassland carbon offset program is helping support the mission of Homeward Bound (HB), a global development program for women in leadership positions surrounding climate challenges.

DU provided certified offsets that mitigate the emissions associated with program participants&squo; travel. The group began its journey to Antarctica Friday, Nov. 22, 2019 and was out to sea 19 days, returning Dec. 10.

"At Ducks Unlimited we recognize the challenges we face from a changing climate to our conservation mission and the importance of diverse leadership in our science community,&dquo; said Billy Gascoigne, Ducks Unlimited economist and environmental markets specialist. "We are proud to contribute carbon offset credits to support this important endeavor.&dquo;

The Homeward Bound initiative aims to heighten the influence and impact of women in making decisions that shape the planet. The program offers women in STEMM fields (science, technology, engineering, math and medicine) a comprehensive course to improve their clarity, confidence, vision and strategic capability. The training primarily took place during a 20-day expedition to Antarctica. Homeward Bound team members approached the American Carbon Registry about mitigation opportunities through high integrity carbon projects. DU&squo;s program was the perfect fit.

"If we are going to tackle the problem of climate change, we need more great minds focused on the issue, and women are greatly underrepresented,&dquo; said HB team member Blanca Bernal. "Antarctica provides the perfect place to learn about climate change and frees participants of distractions as they learn confidence and the strategic capability to take on the roles that contribute to a sustainable world. We are thankful for the role DU is playing in this endeavor.&dquo;

HB&squo;s goal is to build a collaboration of 1,000 women around the world with backgrounds in STEMM to help tackle the earth&squo;s climate challenges.