Toyota Donation to Support Environmental Leadership and Wilderness Education Programs at Yosemite National Park...$600,000 and five Prius donated by Toyota to Yosemite National Park
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Toyota is providing more than $600,000 and five hybrid vehicles to Yosemite National Park to support a number of environmental education programs at Yosemite and the University of California, Merced, it was announced today. "The development of environmental education programs is key to preserving our majestic national parks for future generations," said Bill Duff, Corporate Manager, Environmental Office, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "Toyota is proud to be part of this endeavor through our donation to The Yosemite Fund and Yosemite National Park." The donation was facilitated through the park's nonprofit fundraising partner, The Yosemite Fund. The park will use Toyota's contribution to support the Yosemite Leadership Program (YLP), a partnership between Yosemite, UC Merced and California State Parks. The internship program provides students with work experience in a park, wilderness education, a living stipend and the opportunity for possible future employment with the park. In addition, Toyota funds are being used to refurbish cabins in the park to be used as dorms for the interns. "We are grateful for Toyota's generous support of these key educational programs in Yosemite," said Mike Tollefson, Yosemite National Park Superintendent. "Toyota's grants, received through our partnership with the Yosemite Fund, ensure that parks and wild places remain relevant to future generations by providing access to higher learning and residential internships in one of America's flagship parks." The Wilderness Center on the campus of UC Merced was established in part with funds from the Toyota donation. As the home base of the Yosemite Leadership Program, the Wilderness Center fosters a wilderness ethic among students, as well as assists students and faculty with planning for trips to Yosemite and other national parks and forests. Students staffing the center are also paid through a fund developed with Toyota's grant. "Working as partners with the National Park Service, institutions of higher learning and nonprofits, Toyota's generous contribution advances leadership and education opportunities to protect and preserve Yosemite National Park," said Bob Hansen, president, The Yosemite Fund. "The breadth of their contributions provides the resources to inspire new generations to develop an interest in conservation, environmental management and a passion for the outdoors." Toyota's donation will also be used to establish a two-week Executive Leadership Seminar in 2009 designed specifically for experienced professionals in park and protected area land management. Leaders from government, corporate, and non-profit sectors will focus on proactive approaches and strategic leadership for use in complex, real-world land management challenges. This course draws on the University of California's academic leadership, and pairs it with the unparalleled opportunity for field study and experiential learning in Yosemite National Park. In addition to the monetary donation, Yosemite will receive five Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles, which will be used to support Yosemite's air quality, bear management, wilderness education, search and rescue and visitor services. The donation to Yosemite National Park is part of a $5 million contribution from Toyota in support of five National Parks and the National Park Foundation to enhance environmental leadership and educational programs at parks around the country. The company is also donating 23 vehicles in total to the national parks. About Toyota Toyota established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants, with another under construction in Mississippi. Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Through its corporate initiatives, manufacturing operations and philanthropy, Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. In 2007, Toyota contributed more than $56 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S. For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit http://www.toyota.com/community. About The Yosemite Fund The Yosemite Fund is a non-profit organization that provides broad-based private funding and resources for projects that preserve, protect or enhance Yosemite National Park. Since 1988, more than 100,000 individual, corporate and foundation donors have enabled the Fund to grant over $40 million to complete over 200 projects in Yosemite. Contributors to the Fund provide a margin of excellence in Yosemite, extending a long-standing tradition of private philanthropy in National Parks. Results of the Fund's work on major projects can be seen most notably at the approach to lower Yosemite Falls ($12.5 million), Glacier Point ($4 million), Happy Isles ($2 million), Tunnel View overlook ($1.8 million) and Olmsted Point ($1.2 million). Learn more at http://www.yosemitefund.org or 1-800-4-MY-PARK. About UC Merced UC Merced opened September 5, 2005, as the 10th campus in the University of California system and the first American research university of the 21st century. The campus significantly expands access to the UC system for students throughout the state, with a special mission to increase college-going rates among students in the San Joaquin Valley. It also serves as a major base of advanced research and as a stimulus to economic growth and diversification throughout the region. Situated near Yosemite National Park, the university is expected to grow rapidly, topping out at approximately 25,000 students within 30 years.
Media Contacts:
Rebecca Lee
GolinHarris for Toyota
(213) 438-8827
rlee@golinharris.com
Scott Gediman
Yosemite National Park
(209) 372-0248
scott_gediman@nps.gov
Peter Bartelme
The Yosemite Fund
(415) 664-1503
pb@prstrategies.com
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