General Motors Foundation Donates $1 Million To The Detroit Zoological Institute's Arctic Ring Of Life
FOR RELEASE: October 19, 2001General Motors Foundation Donates $1 Million To The Detroit Zoological Institute's Arctic Ring Of Life
Royal Oak, Mich.- General Motors and the GM Foundation have donated $1 million to the world's largest polar bear exhibit -- the Arctic Ring of Life.
The Detroit Zoo exhibit opens its doors to the public Saturday, October 20.
The day before the Zoo opens to the public, 350 school children will take a trek through the North Pole courtesy of the GM Foundation. Students will experience the tundra, open sea and pack ice of the Arctic environment, and the animals that are distinctly adapted to life there.
"GM is a longtime supporter of the Zoo and we wanted to offer area children an opportunity to tour the exhibit before it opens to the public," said GM Foundation President Lorna Utley. "We look forward to working with the Zoo to educate young people about the many fascinating animals and creatures of our world and our responsibility to protect and preserve them."
The state-of-the-art, $14.9 million, interactive facility will encompass over four acres of outdoor and indoor exhibits. In addition to seeing a variety of fauna and flora, the exhibit will explore the relationship between Arctic people (Inuit) and wildlife. As students approach the edge of a glacier area, they will arrive at an Exploration Station. This station features both under and above-water views of the polar bears' ice exhibit, a spectacular display of year-round icecaps and melting icicles.
The Detroit Zoo has been a leader in the exhibition, management and breeding of polar bears since the opening of the first bear exhibit in 1928. Director of the Zoological Institute, Ron Kagen states, "The goal of the Arctic Ring of Life exhibit is to excite and educate the public about animals and Arctic ecosystems in a unique way. Both the Arctic wildlife and the people have adapted in unusual ways in this extreme and amazing landscape. We are very grateful to the GM Foundation for their generous support and their continued commitment to the Zoo."
GM and the GM Foundation are pleased to support programs and organizations that make a meaningful contribution to the quality of life in society. This direct involvement in and concern for communities expresses the true spirit of GM's commitment to good corporate citizenship.
General Motors has long been one of the leading corporations in philanthropy in the United States. Through the tireless efforts of many GM employees, organizations and activities are supported in the areas of education, health and human services, civic and community, arts and culture, and the environment.