FedEx Corp. and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced a collaboration for for urban conservation projects in 12 major cities. This is the second year of their collaboration to address pressing urban environmental challenges across the United States. The FedEx commitment to NFWF is part of EarthSmart Outreach, a FedEx commitment to environmental and volunteer efforts that focus on environmental sustainability.
Through NFWF, grants have been awarded to local nonprofits that will maximize FedEx philanthropic and volunteer resources. The selected projects will improve air and water quality and enhance community spaces in Philadelphia, New York City, San Francisco, Boston, Memphis, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Seattle.
“Last year, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s work with FedEx and local nonprofit partners engaged 7,500 community members and resulted in the planting of over 14,000 trees and 66,000 native plants,” says Jeff Trandahl, executive director of the Foundation. “Their actions reduced carbon dioxide output by 340,000 pounds. This is only an initial snapshot of the impact of our collaboration. We expect to have even more impressive outcomes this year as we double the number of involved organizations and communities.”
The FedEx contributions, ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 per project, will be implemented through NFWF’s Five Star Restoration Program, Long Island Sound Futures Fund, the Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants and the King County Community Salmon Fund. Funds from FedEx will be leveraged by support from federal and state government agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as other private and nonprofit partners.
“Our work with NFWF enables FedEx team members to collaborate and work directly with local nonprofits to improve the air, water and urban spaces that we share in the communities where we live and work,” ays Mitch Jackson, vice president of environmental affairs and sustainability for FedEx Corp. “A significant portion of our operations, people and facilities are based in metropolitan centers, and we value helping to connect the world in responsible and resourceful ways.”
FedEx team members will participate in a day of service with each NFWF grant recipient. They will help clear invasive plant species in Memphis, Seattle and Philadelphia; restore the Presidio Coastal Bluffs in San Francisco; plant trees in Indianapolis and Pittsburgh; work alongside local youth on the Bronx River in New York City; remove trash and debris at Mattahunt Woods in Boston; plant native vegetation in Los Angeles and Dallas; pick up beach litter in Chicago; and install a rain garden in Washington, D.C.
