The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS, recently committed $600,000 in funding to The Nature Conservancy, one of the world’s leading conservation organizations. This donation represents an increase in the funding from previous years, deepening the relationship between the Conservancy and The UPS Foundation. The support will allow forest projects in Brazil, China, and Kenya to grow substantially.

• Brazil—Araucaria Moist Forest

The Nature Conservancy will use funding from The UPS Foundation to continue development of a carbon offset project that protects, restores, and connects forest remnants in the Araucaria Moist Forest by promoting the sustainable cultivation of the highly marketable, shade-grown herb erva mate by small rural landowners.

• China—Forest Protection in Sichuan Province

1. Establishing a New Private Reserve Model - In areas adjacent to existing nature reserves, funding from The UPS Foundation will allow The Nature Conservancy to establish a new private reserve that combines conservation with limited, sustainable development. Generated revenues will support conservation on both the existing and new reserves, and limited development will create economic opportunities for struggling local communities while expanding and connecting habitat for plants and animals.
2. Harnessing Carbon Markets to Protect Forests in Sichuan Province – Funds from The UPS Foundation will help establish a forest carbon project in Sichuan Province to restore and manage degraded forest and agricultural lands adjacent to existing nature reserves. The project will mitigate carbon emissions, increase marketable carbon credits and expand and connect protected habitat for plants and animals, including the giant panda.

• Kenya—Northern Rangeland Forests of Kenya

As a result of funding from The UPS Foundation, The Nature Conservancy will be able to provide technical support to the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) to formalize protection status for threatened communal lands. Northern Rangelands Trust is a community-led initiative that equips and empowers local tribes to protect and manage their own lands.  Governed by a council of local elders, NRT promotes regional security, improves livelihoods, and enhances wildlife conservation. We will also help design forest protection strategies to support the development of a REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) project, which would bring these forests to national prominence and generate sustained financial incentives and benefits to the community. 

“The well-being of people and the health of natural systems are inextricably linked,” said Mark Tercek, president and CEO of The Nature Conservancy.  “Thanks to the generosity of The UPS Foundation, we are making significant progress at project sites in Brazil, China, and Kenya in demonstrating how investments in conservation benefit both people and nature.” 

“The UPS Foundation takes great pride in supporting The Nature Conservancy’s commitment to conservation around the world,” said Eduardo Martinez , director of philanthropy and corporate relations for The UPS Foundation. “This investment is just one important element in the company's aggressive approach to environmental stewardship."

 The UPS Foundation has supported The Nature Conservancy since 1977 when it began matching its employees’ gifts to the Conservancy. . In 2008, The UPS Foundation added an environmental sustainability focus area to their newly-adopted global philanthropic strategy, and since that time, the Foundation has awarded The Nature Conservancy $1.15 million for international conservation.

In addition to recent international gifts, The UPS Foundation has funded volunteer activities and conservation priorities in Georgia.

About The UPS Foundation
UPS (NYSE:UPS) is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain and freight services. Since its founding in 1907, UPS has built a legacy as a caring and responsible corporate citizen, supporting programs that provide long-term solutions to community needs. UPS promotes community involvement through its ongoing volunteerism and grant programs, environmental sustainability and corporate philanthropy. In 2009, UPS's charitable contributions totaled nearly $100 million and UPS employees and their families contributed more than 1.2 million hours of volunteer service. The company can be found on the web at UPS.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS.