General Motors Donates Vehicle To The Nature Conservancy
FOR RELEASE: October 13, 2001General Motors Donates Vehicle To The Nature Conservancy
McAllen, TX - General Motors handed over the keys of a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban to The Nature Conservancy for its work at the South Texas Preserves, southeast of Brownsville on the Rio Grande. This will be one of 140 vehicles donated by years' end to The Nature Conservancy - part of a $10 million, 10-year partnership.
Conservationists rely on the vehicles, which include Suburbans and Chevy Silverado pickups to navigate the often-rugged terrain of project sites.
Often called the "Jewel of the Rio Grande Valley," the South Texas Preserves are considered the most ecologically important pieces of land remaining in southern Texas. The unique flora and fauna and rich biological diversity of the meandering, 1,000-acre tract has long attracted the attention of conservation biologists.
"General Motors strongly believes in the work The Nature Conservancy is doing around the world," said Dennis R. Minano, GM vice president, environment & energy and chief environmental officer. "By preserving plant and animal species and threatened ecosystems, The Nature Conservancy is helping to make sure that our children will be able to enjoy the same natural wonders and diversity of cultures that we enjoy. Rarely does one find a nonprofit organization so dedicated to specific, measurable results."
The partnership - unprecedented for both organizations because of its size and scope - began in 1994. In addition to vehicles, GM has provided millions of dollars of support to the non-profit organization.
"The gift of this Suburban will help the Nature Conservancy in stewardship of our South Texas Preserves, as well as in our work with private landowners and conservation partners as we develop and share biological and technical expertise to benefit the public," said Lisa Williams, South Texas land steward, The Nature Conservancy.
General Motors , the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide. In 2000, GM earned $5 billion on sales of $183.3 billion. It employs about 372,000 people globally.
GM also operates one of the largest and most successful financial services companies, GMAC, which offers automotive, mortgage and business financing and insurance services to customers worldwide.
More information on GM's plants, products and partnerships and its work with The Nature Conservancy can be found at www.gmability.com.