Wal-Mart Pledges One Acre for Every WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 12, 2005) – The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Wal-Mart announced today a groundbreaking partnership program, “Acres for America,” which will conserve critical wildlife habitats for future generations. Wal-Mart has committed $35 million for the next 10 years to conserve at least one acre of priority wildlife habitat for every acre developed for company use. This new program is one of the largest ever public/private partnerships and the first time a company has tied its footprint to land conservation. Acres for “Wal-Mart is the first corporation to commit to offsetting its entire developed land use for conservation,” said Max Chapman, Jr., Foundation chairman. “We introduced the concept of the offset program to Wal-Mart last year,” he said. “They were quick to say yes, and Wal-Mart’s leadership is raising the bar in conservation.” “As partners, we are conserving wildlife habitat on a large scale to safeguard migratory corridors, breeding grounds and natural areas essential to the long-term health of The Foundation will identify key habitats throughout the country working in partnership with the nation’s local, state and national conservation organizations and public land management agencies. As part of the announcement, five leadership grants resulting from Wal-Mart’s Acres for These signature projects include: Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge, North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Back to Home Waters/ The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will be able to leverage Wal-Mart’s funding to find matching grants and other funding sources, which will often provide a two-for-one or even three-to-one acre match. The five signature projects announced today will result in the conservation of more than 321,000 acres. “ “We are proud that Wal-Mart is making land conservation history, but quite simply, protecting our environment is simply the right thing to do,” said Mike Duke, executive vice president and president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores – The Foundation will consider recommendations for projects that would generate the greatest impact to important fish, wildlife or plant resources. To apply or for more information log onto www.nfwf.org or www.walmartfacts.com. About National Fish and Wildlife Foundation The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a nonprofit organization established by Congress in 1984 and dedicated to the conservation of fish, wildlife and plants, and the habitat on which they depend. The Foundation creates partnerships between the public and private sectors to strategically invest in conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources. The Foundation awarded over 7,000 grants to more than 2,600 organizations in the About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM'S CLUB locations in the
|