Ford Motor Company to Donate $5 Million to Earthwatch Institute
27 November 2000
Ford Motor Company to Donate $5 Million to Earthwatch Institute DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 26 Ford Motor Company is
donating $5 million to Earthwatch Institute to promote further research into
the conservation of natural resources. This alliance accelerates the
conservation process in some of the world's most threatened and valuable
habitats.
The donation, made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund, will enable
Earthwatch Institute to implement a series of "Conservation Research Stations"
in South America, Africa, Asia-Pacific and North America over a five-year
period. Working in partnership with other leading international conservation
organizations, Earthwatch Institute will implement multiple field research
projects at key sites of exceptional conservation value which are also highly
threatened. Uniquely, members of the public will be invited to join in the
effort by working alongside scientists as their field assistants.
"Ford Motor Company is committed to being a good corporate citizen. We
are set on making an impact that is replicable and sustainable for today's
environment and tomorrow's future," said John Rintamaki, Group Vice President
and Chief of Staff, Ford Motor Company. "I believe very strongly that
corporations could be and should be a major force for resolving environmental
and social concerns in the 21st Century, including climate change."
The initial relationship between Ford and Earthwatch began two years ago,
and included a cooperative study with Conservation International, offering an
opportunity for the organizations to broaden scientific study, coverage and
research in the Pantanal wetlands in Brazil. Coming off of this success,
Earthwatch is looking to partner once again with other environmental
organizations and local not-for-profit environmental partners in the U.S.,
Latin America, Africa, and Asia-Pacific for research and fellowship
opportunities.
A "Ford Conservation Fellowships" program will be developed to enable
educators, conservationists and staff from corporations to work on frontline
conservation projects in the field at the stations. Participants initially
will be selected from the United States and host country nations where the
Conservation Research Stations are located. The aim will be to build
awareness of conservation issues amongst teachers, students and company
employees but also to transfer skills and build professional capacity in
developing nations.
"Earthwatch is a world leader in leveraging partnerships between people
and scientists, and through this exciting initiative we aim to bring local
stakeholders together with major international organizations in a powerful
alliance to investigate and protect the world's biological hotspots," said
Roger Bergen, President of Earthwatch. "Ford has shown exceptional vision in
allowing us to play to our strengths in launching this program and to
contribute to the challenge of saving these uniquely valuable environments."
This donation is one facet of the partnership between Ford Motor Company
and the Earthwatch Institute that has been ongoing. Ford's donation promotes
sustainable conservation of natural resources and cultural heritage by
creating joint ventures between scientists, educators and the general public.
Earthwatch's scientific field research and data collection has been a long-
term effort to better understand and conserve wetlands, endangered species and
other environmental issues. Earthwatch's membership includes more than 50,000
grassroots volunteers.
