Marking 20 years of wildlife conservation as part of Acres for America, Walmart US extends its commitment to wildlife conversation.
With more than one-third of US biodiversity in danger, conservation in the US is a critical effort to protect the nation and ensure the survival of its wildlife for future generations. Currently, 34% of plants and 40% of animals are at risk of extinction, while 41% of ecosystems are at risk of collapse.
As such, initiatives like Acres for America focus on the preservation of ecosystems, managing natural habitats, and mitigating the impact of human activities on wildlife.
Over the years the US has made significant strides in wildlife conservation, but continued collaboration among government, organisations, and citizens is essential to address ongoing and emerging challenges.
Two decades of wildlife conservation
Approaching 20 years of wildlife conservation as part of the Acres for America programme, Walmart, in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), has announced a further 10-year, US$34.5m investment in conservation.
Walmart’s latest commitments (combined with previous contributions) marks the largest corporate donation to NFWF since its creation by Congress in 1984, with a total of more than US$100m since it began.
Established in 2005, Acres for America made its first commitment of US$34.5m to NFWF to fund the conservation of one acre of wildlife habitat for every acre of land developed in the US – an estimated 138,000 at the time.
“Acres for America was a simple idea in the beginning, a way for Walmart to play a part in preserving key natural habitats across the US,” says Hunter Hart, Senior Vice President of Walmart Realty.
“What we’ve achieved since then has gone far beyond what was first imagined, and we’re excited to continue this commitment and working alongside NFWF.”
Over the last 20 years, Acres for America has surpassed its initial goal with more than two million acres of wildlife habitat protected – a greater area size than the combined land of Rhode Island and Delaware.
Supporting projects in all 50 states, Acres for America has benefited countless species, conserved natural habitats vital to community resilience and quality of life and opened new lands to public recreation.
Expanding its efforts to voluntary conservation easements and acquisitions connecting already-protected lands such as national parks and state wildlife areas, Acres for America has helped conserve more than 10 million acres.
“Walmart’s sustained commitment to conservation is as inspirational as it is significant,” says Jeff Trandahl, Executive Director and CEO of NFWF.
He adds: “The company has helped make more than 125 projects a reality from Maine to California and everywhere in between. Thousands of species of our native wildlife are dependent on the habitats protected and connected by Acres for America projects.
“This focus on conserving the best places in America is something meaningful that will benefit our wildlife and local communities for generations to come.”
What is the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation?
Chartered by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) protects and restores the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats.
NFWF directs public conservation dollars to the most pressing environmental needs and matches those investments with private contributions. Working with government, nonprofit and corporate partners, NFWF finds solutions for the most intractable conservation challenges.
Over the last 40 years NFWF has funded more than 6,800 organisations and generated a total conservation impact of more than US$10bn.
Acres for America was launched as a partnership between Walmart Stores and NFWF. As a founding partner, Walmart’s goal was to offset the footprint of its domestic facilities on at least an acre-by-acre basis.
The programme has now helped to permanently protect over two million acres and connect more than 47 million acres of public and private conservation lands across the country.
