Valuing nature through environmental stewardship and sustainable watershed management

Dow and Ducks Unlimited have announced a multi-year, multi-national partnership to restore and conserve natural habitats across North America. One of the initial projects from this collaboration includes the restoration the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, one of Michigan’s largest managed wetland complexes.

This initiative, focused in the area where the Tittabawassee, Shiawassee, Cass and Flint Rivers converge, aims to improve the resiliency of the region by increasing biodiversity, improving water quality and enhancing flood storage capacity.

In collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, Ecolab, the Caterpillar Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and other partners, Dow supported the Loch Leven project, a conservation initiative in an area of the Mississippi River watershed located about 70 miles upriver of Baton Rouge.

The goal of this work is to restore and enhance 10,000 wetland acres and provide 12.1 billion gallons (45.8 million cubic meters) of flood storage capacity to local communities within the Mississippi River Delta’s Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley in Louisiana.

In Arkansas, Dow tackled the challenge of acidic water with high zinc levels seeping from an abandoned mining site. By constructing a sinuous channel lined with limestone, Dow increased the water's alkalinity, which in turn raised the pH and created conditions for reducing metal concentrations through biological processes.

This innovative solution resulted in a natural streambed that requires no operational and maintenance costs, ensuring that the mine seep water is treated before reaching downstream creeks.

The Dow manufacturing site in Elizabethtown needed a way to retain storm water and a barrier to help manage fires. Rather than constructing a conventional retention pond, they instead opted to construct a five-acre wetland.

This solution helps to reduce downstream flooding and filters storm runoff for cleaner water. The design also supports the containment of fires should the need arise.

The Seadrift constructed wetlands project in Texas is an example of engineered natural technology. In 1996, the Dow Seadrift manufacturing site, located about 60 miles northeast of Corpus Christi, converted 110 acres of a water treatment pond into wetlands that have been fully compliant with regulations for almost 30 years.

These constructed wetlands have provided treatment for 5 million gallons of industrial wastewater daily as a natural filtration system. The land also serves as a wildlife refuge, supporting various species and local biodiversity.

This innovative project demonstrates how manufacturing can coexist with and even enhance natural ecosystems. It is also a proof point of valuing nature as a business strategy. The project cost about $1.4 million, a fraction of the $40 million price tag for an industrial wastewater treatment plant.

Utilizing the Ecosystem Services Identification & Inventory Tool, also known as the ESII Tool, developed by The Nature Conservancy and Dow, a restoration plan was developed for 23 acres adjacent to the Dow Michigan Operations manufacturing site.

Located along the Tittabawassee River, this project exemplifies the valuable transformation that is possible for industrial areas through sustainable land management practices. It involved excavating ash and soil for secure disposal and reintroducing over 25,000 native plants. The restoration improves water and air quality, supports biodiversity, and connects to a network of parks and trails in Michigan.

Ducks Unlimited and Dow have partnered to enhance about 2,030 acres of coastal freshwater wetlands between Cameron Prairie and Lacassine National Wildlife Refuges in Louisiana.

This project aims to protect critical natural infrastructure, improve habitat for migratory waterfowl and wildlife, and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities. The first phase, completed in 2023, included infrastructure improvements like levee refurbishment and water-control systems.

The Dow manufacturing sites in Böhlen, Germany and Terneuzen, Netherlands, have launched the Reshape Water Use Initiative to reduce freshwater intake intensity by 20% at key water-stressed sites. The project includes increased water recycling, digitalization, raising awareness about water resources, and local collaborations with stakeholders.

As part of this initiative, in tandem, Dow is taking part in the EU-funded AquaSPICE project to trial new water treatment technologies and develop a digital model of the water network for better decision-making. This initiative aims to sustainably reduce freshwater withdrawals, stabilize water supply, and enhance efficient use of natural resources.

As part of the Reshape Water Use Initiative, the Dow Böhlen site in Germany expects to achieve at least a quarter of its targeted water savings by treating captured rainwater through advanced wetlands and using it as an additional freshwater source. This project employs an innovative, close-to-nature technology for treatment, helping to secure an important resource for Dow in a water-scarce region. The wetlands are expected to enter test operation in the fall of 2025. Starting in May, more than 50,000 plants will be planted, which will grow over the summer and help treat the rainwater in the future.