Month: September 2024

MEMPHIS, Tenn., September 5, 2024 /3BL/ – International Paper (IP) reaffirms its dedication to conserving forest ecosystems, nature and biodiversity with a $15.3 million investment to renew strategic alliances with key conservation partners, including the American Forest Foundation (AFF), National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF). These collaborations are pivotal to IP’s business strategy and Vision 2030 goal to conserve and restore 1 million acres of ecologically significant forestland.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9283251-international-paper-conservation-partnerships-strengthens-commitment-to-nature/

“International Paper’s success depends on the sustainability of forests – and so does the future of our planet,” said Sophie Beckham, vice president and chief sustainability officer, International Paper. “Renewing these strategic partnerships underscores our commitment to positively impact nature while delivering low-carbon, sustainable, fiber-based products to our customers.”

Among these partnerships, IP’s collaboration with AFF has been key through the Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP). Developed by AFF and TNC, this program facilitates family forest owners’ access to climate finance from carbon markets. Supported by IP, the FFCP has expanded significantly in the Central Appalachian area and is set to launch activities in the Southeastern U.S., focusing on afforestation and improved forest management practices. IP’s ongoing support allows the FFCP to invest in critically important applied research to identify which forests provide the most additional carbon mitigation when they enroll in the program.

The Forestland Stewards Partnership (FSP) with NFWF, extended in 2022 with a $10 million commitment over five years. Launched in 2013, FSP has successfully established, enhanced or conserved more than 1.6 million acres of iconic southern forestlands. Focused on longleaf pine and bottomland hardwood restoration, this partnership aims to further wildlife conservation and sustainable forestry practices in the Southeastern U.S.

Since 2018, IP’s collaboration with TNC has led to advancements in sustainable forestry practices. This work reaches beyond IP’s traditional supply chain to identify natural climate solutions that can be replicated in forests around the world. With the first two phases complete, IP renewed its partnership to scale up efforts towards responsible forestry, carbon sequestration and biodiversity monitoring in the Central Appalachian region of the U.S. and in Mexico.

Additionally, as one of the first five companies to join WWF’s Forests Forward program, IP is taking action on responsible sourcing and aiding efforts in priority sourcing regions to support nature, climate and people. The latest collaboration involves helping local partners in the Mobile Basin of Mississippi and Alabama address a critical issue: the preservation of heirs’ property. The initiative provides legal services, assistance and resources to help historically disenfranchised Black landowners retain generational land and conserve working forests.

“These partnerships are essential for enhancing sustainability across our value chain,” noted Beckham. “By collaborating with AFF, NFWF, TNC and WWF, International Paper will scale our impact, learn from trusted partners, and drive positive change for people and the planet.”

For more information about all of IP’s longstanding partnerships, please visit our website or IP’s 2023 Sustainability Report.

About The Nature Conservancy (TNC) 
Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 77 countries and territories (41 by direct conservation impact and 36 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org.

About The American Forest Foundation (AFF) 
The American Forest Foundation is a national conservation organization that empowers family forest owners to make meaningful conservation impact. The organization’s flagship program, the Family Forest Carbon Program, helps landowners implement forest management practices to protect the health of their woodlands and help the planet. To learn more about the American Forest Foundation and the Family Forest Carbon Program, visit www.forestfoundation.org/carbon.

About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) 
Chartered by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) protects and restores the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Working with federal, corporate, foundation and individual partners, NFWF has funded more than 6,800 organizations and generated a total conservation impact of more than $10 billion. NFWF is an equal opportunity provider. Learn more at nfwf.org.

About World Wildlife Fund (WWF) 
WWF is one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, working for 60 years in nearly 100 countries to help people and nature thrive. With the support of 1.3 million members in the United States and more than 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the degradation of the environment, and combat the climate crisis. Visit worldwildlife.org to learn more; follow @WWFNews on Twitter to keep up with the latest conservation news; and sign up for our newsletter and news alerts here.

About International Paper
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of sustainable packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of the world’s largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what’s next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2023 were $18.9 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com/.

Originally posted by Albertsons Boise Open.

In front of 800 tournament sponsors, local media partners and special guests at the Hershey Company Pro-Am Dinner, Albertsons and Chevron executives announced over $3 million was raised for charity from this year’s Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron. The donation brings the 35-year charity total to $39 million, a record on the Korn Ferry Tour.

See original article at Albertsons Boise Open and read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.

Verizon

This spring at Vista Academy in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY, middle school students tackled a complicated problem: Thinking like scientists and engineers, they were asked to solve the issue of underwater pollution in the Pacific Ocean.

Working together first in pairs and then as a group, students programmed robots to forage for plastics and other garbage — a step towards solving a complex, here-and-now issue. Projects like these, which combine solutions-oriented thinking with emerging technology, are the types of challenges that Vista Academy students tackle in the Verizon Innovative Learning Lab program. The Lab program offers a tech-infused curriculum in custom-designed, state-of-the-art facilities at schools nationwide. The curriculum is designed to foster tech skills alongside real-world applications of the tech.

“The Verizon Innovative Learning Lab program exposes students to emerging technologies through project-based curriculum, created by our team at Arizona State University, to encourage students to explore real-world problem solving,” explains Gabriela Chacon, assistant director of the youth entrepreneurship team at Arizona State University’s J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute. “In the program, students create solutions for their communities by leveraging technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality, 3D modeling and printing, artificial intelligence and robotics, and social innovation and design thinking,” Chacon adds.

In the year since joining the program, Vista has already seen notable advancements in STEM education, inclusivity, and student performance. Students readily engage with the curriculum and tools they find in the Lab, educators say. “They’re happy to come to the lab, they’re happy to learn, they’re excited to see what they’re going to learn next,” says Brookie Chandler, a Verizon Innovative Learning Lab Mentor at Vista Academy.

Seeing how engaged the students have become in the program, teachers around the school often reach out to Chandler for guidance. “Other teachers want that same type of engagement. They come to me and say, ‘Hey, what can we do with the Lab?’” Chandler says.

Chandler collaborates with her colleagues to develop plans based on their teaching, which has inspired her further. “Leading this Lab and collaborating with teachers makes me want more. I want more for other schools in New York City. I want all schools to have the technology and have an innovative learning lab,” Chandler says.

After all, Chandler is also seeing her students envision their futures differently after working in the Lab. “They’re engaging in exploring careers in STEM,” she says. “They’re thriving, they’re learning, they’re engaging in technology — they’re preparing themselves for the future.”

Verizon Innovative Learning is a key part of Citizen Verizon, the company’s responsible business plan to help move the world forward for all. As part of the plan, Verizon has an ambitious goal of providing 10 million youth with digital skills training by 2030. Visit CitizenVerizon.com to learn more about the company’s responsible business efforts. Educators can access free lessons, professional development, and immersive learning experiences to help bring new ways of learning into the classroom by visiting Verizon Innovative Learning HQ.

“In the program, students create solutions for their communities by leveraging technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality, 3D modeling and printing, artificial intelligence and robotics, and social innovation and design thinking.”

Gabriela Chacon, assistant director of the youth entrepreneurship team at Arizona State University’s J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute