Shell contributes $500,000 to Healthy Lands Initiative
Program conserves natural habitats, sustains wildlife, benefits local economies and communities
by Shell media release
May 17, 2008
(Rock Springs) - Shell is contributing $500,000 to the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust as part of the federal Healthy Lands Initiative. The funds will support the multiple uses of natural resources across approximately 200,000 acres in southwest Wyoming by assisting private landowners to conserve wildlife habitat on their lands.
“Shell is committed to working collaboratively in support of projects in the communities and States where we work,” said Russ Ford, Vice President - Technical for Shell Americas Region. “The Healthy Lands Initiative allows Shell to gain a deeper knowledge of the Wyoming and Rocky Mountain way of life and is consistent with the principles that guide our business as a responsible energy developer and operator.
“This program gives Shell the perfect vehicle to work with varied stakeholders and communities in Wyoming. Shell and its employees are proud to be a part of Wyoming and are excited to help enhance the state’s wildlife and agricultural heritage.”
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Healthy Lands Initiative is a federal program to manage natural resources with flexible, landscape-level approaches that support multiple uses, including livestock grazing, farming, recreation, oil and gas production, historic values and wildlife habitat within a defined project area.
Through this initiative, Shell in combination with the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust and the Wyoming Ranch Agriculture and Wildlife Planning and Management Project will work at an accelerated pace to enhance and conserve a significant amount of land in the state. The Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Board will manage the funds.
Bob Budd, Executive Director of the Trust complimented Shell on this voluntary commitment, “Partnerships will be an integral part of this initiative. Public-private cooperation, incentives for landowners and private industry, and other non-traditional approaches will allow us to engage stakeholders while leveraging additional funds and resources.”
The project involves several landowners along with conservation and grazing organizations, including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation and the Rock Springs Grazing Association, who have all agreed to support and participate in the effort.
Plans are in place to begin landscape habitat and agricultural improvements immediately based on substantial wildlife data that has already been collected. The project area offers diverse habitats that can be measurably enhanced and improved. It is representative of lands in the Upper Green River Basin, an important agricultural and recreational region for the state that also is an active source of natural gas.
For information about the Healthy Lands Initiative visit http://www.doi.gov/initiatives/healthylands.html.
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