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Wal-Mart protects California forest mongabay.com May 3, 2006 Last week Wal-Mart announced a $1 million grant to the Pacific Forest Trust to protect 9,200 acres for forest in Northern California near the towns of McCloud and Pondosa. According to a release from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the grant is the "largest working forest conservation easement granted by a private forest owner in the state and first to include lands owned and managed by a major commercial timberland interest." Under the terms of the easements, lands will remain accessible for public recreation and sustainable timber harvests will be permitted to continue. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation says that the plan will "prevent development, protect water quality and fisheries, sustain critical wildlife habitat and provide recreational access to the popular McCloud Falls and Pacific Coast Trail – all while supporting the landowner’s forestry and the local economy."
To date, Wal-Mart Stores has committed $35 million over 10 years to the Acres for America program. The world's largest retailer has agreed to "permanently conserve at least one acre of priority wildlife habitat for every developed acre of Wal-Mart Stores’ current footprint, as well as the company’s future development throughout the 10-year commitment." Wall-Mart is the first time a firm has tied its footprint to land conservation. According to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the McCloud forestlands are the most biodiverse coniferous forest in the world with more than 250 species of wildlife including the bald eagle, pileated woodpecker, silver-haired bat, northern flying squirrel, northern goshawk, and the imperiled redband trout. The forest is located in the headwaters of the Sacramento River and plays a key role in protecting the river's water quality and flows for the native salmon population. RELATED ARTICLES A Green Wal-Mart? Wal-Mart embraces environmental sustainability While Wal-Mart is a favorite target for a broad spectrum of activist groups, the world's largest retailer has taken a number of steps in recent months to improve the environmental sustainability of its operations. In October 2005, CEO Lee Scott presented an environmental plan to boost energy efficiency, increase organic food sales, and reduce waste and greenhouse gases emissions. Scott told reporters that the world's largest retailer had to be a "good steward for the environment" and believed that adopting greener practices would also be good for business by cutting costs. As part of the plan, Wal-Mart will aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2012—the Kyoto Protocol called for a 7 percent cut by the United States by that date, while targeting 100% renewable energy and zero waste. The company also announced commitments to social responsibility including increasing the number of women and minority managers. Corporate America, Activists & Circumventing Washington: A New Approach to Environmental Lobbying New York-based banking giant J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. joined the ranks of a select group of firms in the financial sector who have adopted environment policies with an increased focus on more ecologically responsible business practices. This move signals a larger trend and is indicative of the current state of the marketplace as well as that of the government This article is uses quotes and excerpts from news release from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. News index | RSS | Add to MyYahoo! Advertisements: Organic Apparel from Patagonia | Insect-repelling clothing |
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