Month: December 2025

Zeigler Auto Group announces Mercedes-Benz of Hoffman Estates as its 7th Annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Canned Food Drive Competition Winner. The Zeigler dealer nearly doubled its contribution from last year, donating 20,629 items this year; bringing the auto group’s grand total to 51,260 for local charities for 2025.

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Dec. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Zeigler Auto Group has a new 7th Annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Canned Food Drive champion! Mercedes-Benz of Hoffman Estates earned the top spot this year with 20,629 items. Zeigler Auto Group collectively brought in 51,260 for 2025; and 191,505 items across four states over the last seven years.

During the competition, each dealership determines where donations go, generally choosing a local food bank in the area. The winning dealership, which in this case is Mercedes-Benz of Hoffman Estates, has donated its 20,629 items to the Schaumburg Township Food Pantry and celebrated the big win by wearing ugly sweaters during a victory party. Mercedes-Benz of Hoffman Estates had previously held the title for four consecutive years from 2020 through 2023.

Zeigler Honda of Racine, who previously came in third place last year with 4,000 items,climbed one spot to second place with 10,905 items donated to Mt. Zion Christian Church–more than doubling its previous donation.

The third place spot belongs to Zeigler Subaru of Lafayette who has chosen to sponsor Food Finders Food Bank of Lafayette with 5,530 items, nearly a 24-time increase from its 230 donation to the same charity last year. 

Zeigler BMW of Orland Park climbed two spots from last year landing in fourth place with 2,988 items for the TInley Park Food Pantry. Zeigler Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Grandville was this year’s fifth place winner with 2,532 items benefiting the West Michigan Veterans Assistance Program.

In sixth place with 2,096 items for Share the Love Charity Tradewinds was Zeigler Subaru of Schererville. Zeigler Subaru of Kenosha brought in 1,918 items for Sharing Center Trevor Wisconsin, giving them seventh place honors.

This year’s eighth place went to Zeigler Buick GMC of Lincolnwood with 1905 items in benefit of the Food Pantry of Skokie. Ninth place belongs to Zeigler Ford of Lowell with 1,157 for Lowell Outreach Ministry. Rounding out the top 10 is Zeigler Subaru of Fort Wayne with 644 items for Community Harvest Food Bank Fort Wayne.

The following are listed in order of ranking starting with eleventh place: Zeigler Honda CDR Lincoln BMW Kalamazoo bringing in 655 items for Community Harvest Food Bank Fort Wayne. Zeigler Ford Lincoln of Elkhart donated 216 items to the Salvation Army. Zeigler CDJR of Plainwell with 211 items for the Orangeville Community Outreach Center. Zeigler Ford Plainwell also donated 136 to the Orangeville Community Outreach Center. In fifteen place we have Zeigler Toyota of Racine with 97 items for the Racine County Food Bank and Zeigler Holland with 50 items for Community Action House and Harbor Humane.

The friendly competition has become a favorite among Zeigler dealerships growing at a fast pace over the last seven years. The first year it was held in 2019, the group donated a total of 5,000 cans to local food shelters in Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. This year Zeigler Auto Group donated over 10-times as much bringing in 51,260 items to local charities across four states: Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

About Zeigler Auto Group

Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 88 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all of the domestic and the majority of the imported manufacturers.

Besides its extensive automotive portfolio, the organization owns and operates Zeigler Motorsports, an 85,000-square-foot motorsports dealership and action park, offering 19 different powersports brands, plus its own onsite restaurant: Trak Houz Bar & Grill. Additionally, Zeigler Motorsports houses the Elevate Leadership & Team Building Academy, an executive training company.

The Kalamazoo-based dealer group also owns three Byrider franchises, three finance companies, several insurance firms, and a leasing firm.

Founded in 1975, the organization employs over 2,500 people, ranking among the top 1% of automotive dealers in the nation with estimated annual sales of $2.2 billion for 2024.

The family-owned and operated company is well known for its commitment to both customer service and employee satisfaction. Zeigler is regularly recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation, also earning similar accolades in Wisconsin, Chicago, and Michigan. Besides these prestigious accolades, Zeigler is also one of Glassdoor’s 100 Best Places to Work in the U.S. for 2024, and among Glassdoor’s top 10 U.S. companies for work-life balance.

MEDIA CONTACT
Francis Mariela
239.273.6976
letswork@francismariela.com

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SOURCE Zeigler Automotive Group

BEIJING, Dec. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — NaaS Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: NAAS) (“NaaS” or the “Company”), the first U.S.-listed EV charging service company in China, today announced that, in collaboration with its strategic partner Kuaidian, it has successfully completed a 21,000-ton carbon-inclusive credit transaction related to electric vehicle (EV) charging scenarios in Wuhan. This achievement builds on the Company’s inaugural carbon credit transaction in January 2025, marking a significant breakthrough in the implementation of carbon-inclusion mechanisms within the green transportation sector at a regional level.

In this project, NaaS leveraged its self-developed carbon asset trading platform to precisely identify demand from carbon credit purchasers and provided end-to-end solutions covering carbon asset development, digital ledger management, certification application, transaction matchmaking, and settlement execution. Building on its nationwide charging network, AI capabilities, and carbon-inclusive service expertise, NaaS has established an end-to-end carbon asset management solution from carbon asset planning and digital asset management to closed-loop transaction execution. This achievement provides a scalable and replicable model for the large-scale commercialization of carbon assets within the EV charging sector, while also creating a practical pathway for broader public participation in carbon neutrality initiatives.

The transaction comes against the backdrop of China’s steady advancement toward its “Dual Carbon” goals. Green mobility is a core area of emission reduction, and the EV charging market continues to reduce significant carbon emissions. As of the end of June 2025, China’s new energy vehicle ownership surpassed 36 million, providing a solid foundation for promoting carbon-inclusion within the charging sector. This growing ecosystem has positioned EV charging as a key application scenario that combines scale advantages with broad public participation.

Yubo Zhai, General Manager of Sustainability at NaaS, stated, “China’s electric vehicle charging market is expected to generate carbon assets on the scale of hundreds of thousands of tons in the coming years. NaaS is committed to strengthening our capabilities in green transportation carbon-inclusion. We will continue to optimize our carbon accounting models and digital platforms, and expand trading scenarios and partnership channels to support broader industry participation in the standardized development and efficient management of carbon assets.”

About NaaS Technology Inc.

NaaS Technology Inc. is the first U.S. listed EV charging service company in China. The Company is a subsidiary of Newlinks Technology Limited, a leading energy digitalization group in China. The Company is one of the leading providers of new energy asset operation services. The Company utilizes advanced technology to intelligently match charging supply with demand, offering electric vehicle users a seamless, efficient, and smart charging experience. Furthermore, NaaS empowers charging stations and charging station operators to optimize their operations, driving greater efficiency and enhancing profitability.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates” and similar statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the Company and the industry. All information provided in this press release is as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that its expectations will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: NaaS’ goals and strategies; its future business development, financial conditions and results of operations; its ability to continuously develop new technology, services and products and keep up with changes in the industries in which it operates; growth of China’s EV charging industry and EV charging service industry and NaaS’ future business development; demand for and market acceptance of NaaS’ products and services; NaaS’ ability to protect and enforce its intellectual property rights; NaaS’ ability to attract and retain qualified executives and personnel; the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of government and other measures that have been or will be taken in connection therewith; U.S.-China trade war and its effect on NaaS’ operation, fluctuations of the RMB exchange rate, and NaaS’ ability to obtain adequate financing for its planned capital expenditure requirements; NaaS’ relationships with end-users, customers, suppliers and other business partners; competition in the industry; relevant government policies and regulations related to the industry; and fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and globally. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in NaaS’ filings with the SEC.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
Investor Relations
NaaS Technology Inc.
E-mail: ir@enaas.com
Media inquiries:
E-mail: pr@enaas.com

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SOURCE NaaS Technology Inc.

NANCHANG, China, Dec. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A report from Jiangxi International Communication Center (JXICC): At the end of 2025, when reflecting on the most meaningful part of the year, the Austrian silviculturist and ecologist Alfred Pitterle—now in his late seventies, and a recipient of the Chinese Government Friendship Award—spoke not of any honor or research outcome, but of his time teaching on a Chinese campus. At the podium of Jiangxi Normal University, this elder who has spent a lifetime understanding nature found a new way to sow the seeds of a sustainable future.

This year, we had the privilege of interviewing the respected scholar and hearing his green story.

A Mind Shaped by Nature

Whenever he speaks of nature, a gentleness softens his eyes, like a mountain breeze brushing through treetops, carrying him back to his childhood.

Pitterle grew up in Salzburg, an Austrian state known for its stretching mountains and dense forests. These forests not only play a crucial role in soil and water conservation—protecting residential areas from disasters such as avalanches, floods, falling rocks, and landslides—but also underpin the local economy through tourism, timber production, and wood-processing industries.

“Because we live in nature and depend on it for our survival, we should learn to coexist with it.” The childhood experience was a source of enlightenment for Pitterle. It was in this soil of reverence and intimacy that a seed was sown: a deep longing to understand nature’s language—be it a gentle whisper or a stern warning.

The seed, however, has never withered over time. Quietly, it took root and grew within him, ultimately guiding him toward a clear path in the study of forestry. In 1987, Pitterle earned his doctorate in Silviculture from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, where he subsequently dedicated himself to teaching, research, and international academic exchange. Even after retiring from the university, he has continued to devote himself tirelessly to scientific collaboration and research.

The childhood memories slowly unfurled like a map that led him through a lifetime of understanding nature. Pitterle believes that as the map expands, it will lead him to serendipitous encounters and resonances that touch the soul.

A Shared Language of Green

In Pitterle’s journey of exploring nature, China has been a place of singular significance. “The Chinese people have always held a deep, philosophical affection for nature,” he observes. This Eastern wisdom—particularly the vision that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets”—echoed the reverence and kinship he had felt toward the natural world since childhood, granting him a clearer lens through which he could view China’s path of development.

Diplomatic relations between China and Austria were officially established in 1971. Seven years later, Alfred Pitterle participated as an Austrian expert in a tree seed exchange project between China and Austria. This marked the beginning of his profound connection with China in both personal and professional terms, a bond that has now spanned four decades. During these years, he has been actively involved in China’s ecological civilization development, supporting the nation’s green growth with professional dedication. One such endeavor is the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, which he admiringly calls a green miracle. His footsteps have traversed extensive parts of the country, and he has personally taken part in and witnessed this ongoing ecological progress.

Years of hands-on involvement have given Pitterle a profound understanding of China’s ecological landscape. He firmly believes that ecology transcends national boundaries, and that China’s unique, diverse, and complex forests are vital to global ecological security. For this reason, he has frequently traveled between Austria and China, bringing European forestry management practices and adapting them to the lush landscapes of China.

In 1996, as a technical expert for the Sino-German Financial Cooperation Afforestation Project, Pitterle provided on-site support in Jiangxi, including sites such as Yongxiu County. He assisted with work including tree species selection and spatial planning, playing a key role in enhancing both the ecological and socioeconomic benefits of the project.

In April of this year, when Pitterle returned to Meitang Town, Yongxiu County—a site of the Sino-German Financial Cooperation Afforestation Project in Jiangxi—an elderly local resident learned that the technical expert in front of him was in fact one of those who had helped villagers plant trees years ago. The old man clasped Pitterle’s hand and said in a thick local accent, “This forest has given us hope. Every tree we planted back then now brings in ten yuan a year…”

They did not share a common language. Yet as the two elders walked side by side through the woods, with sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting dappled shadows on the ground, words seemed unnecessary. Silently, the trees kept growing—and so did the understanding and friendship across nations, taking root in the soil beneath their feet.

A Cultivator of Ecological Consciousness

Afforestation may beautify the planet, but Pitterle believes what matters even more is to foster ecological awareness throughout society. Only then will the green endure. What matters to him is not the solutions, but what they leave behind. Hence, he would rather see himself as a cultivator of ecological consciousness.

Since 2024, Pitterle has served as a distinguished professor at Jiangxi Normal University, teaching graduate students in the School of Geography and Environment. In his classroom, rigid frameworks have given way to real-world examples which show how the global ecosystem is interconnected. Students find themselves drawn in. Among them is Wu Zihan, a master’s student in Physical Geography of the 2024 intake.

“In Professor Pitterle’s class, forests are no longer just distant scenery. They become living networks, connecting people to nature and regions to regions,” recalled Wu Zihan. He noted that when lecturing on the global pattern of forest conservation, Pitterle was never confined to European examples. Instead, he adopted a global perspective, weaving together the governance wisdom of different nations. That kind of cross-territory dialogue, he said, “has made the knowledge come alive.”

“He highlighted the role of China in global forest preservation in particular,” Wu added. “China’s practices—protecting natural forests and returning farmland to woodland—have long been studied and discussed internationally as exemplary models.”

Pitterle’s global outlook has profoundly influenced younger researchers. Yang Wenjing, an associate researcher at the School of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, serves as the liaison between the university and Pitterle. Her main role is to assist him in organizing materials related to scientific collaboration and international exchanges. She said, “Professor Pitterle is a scholar of remarkable purity. He believes that to tackle global ecological challenges, we must transcend disciplinary and geographical boundaries, deepening our understanding of natural systems so as to galvanize action.”

Influenced by Professor Pitterle, Yang now places greater emphasis on the societal value of her work, rather than merely focusing on publishing papers. “My research perspective has broadened,” Yang remarked. “For instance, when studying Poyang Lake, we don’t just map its boundaries. We try to understand how it connects with the entire watershed.”

Pitterle’s story shows how deep connections can be forged across green landscapes. These connections are not only between humanity and nature, but also reflect a shared understanding between civilizations pursuing the same path toward sustainability.

On this year’s Arbor Day, Pitterle planted a sapling at Jiangxi Normal University. Its roots gripped the soil, while its branches reached for the sky. One day, as young students pass by the tree, they may pause beneath its shade. In that moment, they may recall the old man who came from afar, and how he taught them to understand nature.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/an-austrian-scholars-47-years-of-green-commitment-to-china-302651113.html

SOURCE Jiangxi International Communication Center(JXICC)

NANCHANG, China, Dec. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A report from Jiangxi International Communication Center (JXICC): At the end of 2025, when reflecting on the most meaningful part of the year, the Austrian silviculturist and ecologist Alfred Pitterle—now in his late seventies, and a recipient of the Chinese Government Friendship Award—spoke not of any honor or research outcome, but of his time teaching on a Chinese campus. At the podium of Jiangxi Normal University, this elder who has spent a lifetime understanding nature found a new way to sow the seeds of a sustainable future.

This year, we had the privilege of interviewing the respected scholar and hearing his green story.

A Mind Shaped by Nature

Whenever he speaks of nature, a gentleness softens his eyes, like a mountain breeze brushing through treetops, carrying him back to his childhood.

Pitterle grew up in Salzburg, an Austrian state known for its stretching mountains and dense forests. These forests not only play a crucial role in soil and water conservation—protecting residential areas from disasters such as avalanches, floods, falling rocks, and landslides—but also underpin the local economy through tourism, timber production, and wood-processing industries.

“Because we live in nature and depend on it for our survival, we should learn to coexist with it.” The childhood experience was a source of enlightenment for Pitterle. It was in this soil of reverence and intimacy that a seed was sown: a deep longing to understand nature’s language—be it a gentle whisper or a stern warning.

The seed, however, has never withered over time. Quietly, it took root and grew within him, ultimately guiding him toward a clear path in the study of forestry. In 1987, Pitterle earned his doctorate in Silviculture from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, where he subsequently dedicated himself to teaching, research, and international academic exchange. Even after retiring from the university, he has continued to devote himself tirelessly to scientific collaboration and research.

The childhood memories slowly unfurled like a map that led him through a lifetime of understanding nature. Pitterle believes that as the map expands, it will lead him to serendipitous encounters and resonances that touch the soul.

A Shared Language of Green

In Pitterle’s journey of exploring nature, China has been a place of singular significance. “The Chinese people have always held a deep, philosophical affection for nature,” he observes. This Eastern wisdom—particularly the vision that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets”—echoed the reverence and kinship he had felt toward the natural world since childhood, granting him a clearer lens through which he could view China’s path of development.

Diplomatic relations between China and Austria were officially established in 1971. Seven years later, Alfred Pitterle participated as an Austrian expert in a tree seed exchange project between China and Austria. This marked the beginning of his profound connection with China in both personal and professional terms, a bond that has now spanned four decades. During these years, he has been actively involved in China’s ecological civilization development, supporting the nation’s green growth with professional dedication. One such endeavor is the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, which he admiringly calls a green miracle. His footsteps have traversed extensive parts of the country, and he has personally taken part in and witnessed this ongoing ecological progress.

Years of hands-on involvement have given Pitterle a profound understanding of China’s ecological landscape. He firmly believes that ecology transcends national boundaries, and that China’s unique, diverse, and complex forests are vital to global ecological security. For this reason, he has frequently traveled between Austria and China, bringing European forestry management practices and adapting them to the lush landscapes of China.

In 1996, as a technical expert for the Sino-German Financial Cooperation Afforestation Project, Pitterle provided on-site support in Jiangxi, including sites such as Yongxiu County. He assisted with work including tree species selection and spatial planning, playing a key role in enhancing both the ecological and socioeconomic benefits of the project.

In April of this year, when Pitterle returned to Meitang Town, Yongxiu County—a site of the Sino-German Financial Cooperation Afforestation Project in Jiangxi—an elderly local resident learned that the technical expert in front of him was in fact one of those who had helped villagers plant trees years ago. The old man clasped Pitterle’s hand and said in a thick local accent, “This forest has given us hope. Every tree we planted back then now brings in ten yuan a year…”

They did not share a common language. Yet as the two elders walked side by side through the woods, with sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting dappled shadows on the ground, words seemed unnecessary. Silently, the trees kept growing—and so did the understanding and friendship across nations, taking root in the soil beneath their feet.

A Cultivator of Ecological Consciousness

Afforestation may beautify the planet, but Pitterle believes what matters even more is to foster ecological awareness throughout society. Only then will the green endure. What matters to him is not the solutions, but what they leave behind. Hence, he would rather see himself as a cultivator of ecological consciousness.

Since 2024, Pitterle has served as a distinguished professor at Jiangxi Normal University, teaching graduate students in the School of Geography and Environment. In his classroom, rigid frameworks have given way to real-world examples which show how the global ecosystem is interconnected. Students find themselves drawn in. Among them is Wu Zihan, a master’s student in Physical Geography of the 2024 intake.

“In Professor Pitterle’s class, forests are no longer just distant scenery. They become living networks, connecting people to nature and regions to regions,” recalled Wu Zihan. He noted that when lecturing on the global pattern of forest conservation, Pitterle was never confined to European examples. Instead, he adopted a global perspective, weaving together the governance wisdom of different nations. That kind of cross-territory dialogue, he said, “has made the knowledge come alive.”

“He highlighted the role of China in global forest preservation in particular,” Wu added. “China’s practices—protecting natural forests and returning farmland to woodland—have long been studied and discussed internationally as exemplary models.”

Pitterle’s global outlook has profoundly influenced younger researchers. Yang Wenjing, an associate researcher at the School of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, serves as the liaison between the university and Pitterle. Her main role is to assist him in organizing materials related to scientific collaboration and international exchanges. She said, “Professor Pitterle is a scholar of remarkable purity. He believes that to tackle global ecological challenges, we must transcend disciplinary and geographical boundaries, deepening our understanding of natural systems so as to galvanize action.”

Influenced by Professor Pitterle, Yang now places greater emphasis on the societal value of her work, rather than merely focusing on publishing papers. “My research perspective has broadened,” Yang remarked. “For instance, when studying Poyang Lake, we don’t just map its boundaries. We try to understand how it connects with the entire watershed.”

Pitterle’s story shows how deep connections can be forged across green landscapes. These connections are not only between humanity and nature, but also reflect a shared understanding between civilizations pursuing the same path toward sustainability.

On this year’s Arbor Day, Pitterle planted a sapling at Jiangxi Normal University. Its roots gripped the soil, while its branches reached for the sky. One day, as young students pass by the tree, they may pause beneath its shade. In that moment, they may recall the old man who came from afar, and how he taught them to understand nature.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/an-austrian-scholars-47-years-of-green-commitment-to-china-302651113.html

SOURCE Jiangxi International Communication Center(JXICC)

NANCHANG, China, Dec. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A report from Jiangxi International Communication Center (JXICC): At the end of 2025, when reflecting on the most meaningful part of the year, the Austrian silviculturist and ecologist Alfred Pitterle—now in his late seventies, and a recipient of the Chinese Government Friendship Award—spoke not of any honor or research outcome, but of his time teaching on a Chinese campus. At the podium of Jiangxi Normal University, this elder who has spent a lifetime understanding nature found a new way to sow the seeds of a sustainable future.

This year, we had the privilege of interviewing the respected scholar and hearing his green story.

A Mind Shaped by Nature

Whenever he speaks of nature, a gentleness softens his eyes, like a mountain breeze brushing through treetops, carrying him back to his childhood.

Pitterle grew up in Salzburg, an Austrian state known for its stretching mountains and dense forests. These forests not only play a crucial role in soil and water conservation—protecting residential areas from disasters such as avalanches, floods, falling rocks, and landslides—but also underpin the local economy through tourism, timber production, and wood-processing industries.

“Because we live in nature and depend on it for our survival, we should learn to coexist with it.” The childhood experience was a source of enlightenment for Pitterle. It was in this soil of reverence and intimacy that a seed was sown: a deep longing to understand nature’s language—be it a gentle whisper or a stern warning.

The seed, however, has never withered over time. Quietly, it took root and grew within him, ultimately guiding him toward a clear path in the study of forestry. In 1987, Pitterle earned his doctorate in Silviculture from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, where he subsequently dedicated himself to teaching, research, and international academic exchange. Even after retiring from the university, he has continued to devote himself tirelessly to scientific collaboration and research.

The childhood memories slowly unfurled like a map that led him through a lifetime of understanding nature. Pitterle believes that as the map expands, it will lead him to serendipitous encounters and resonances that touch the soul.

A Shared Language of Green

In Pitterle’s journey of exploring nature, China has been a place of singular significance. “The Chinese people have always held a deep, philosophical affection for nature,” he observes. This Eastern wisdom—particularly the vision that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets”—echoed the reverence and kinship he had felt toward the natural world since childhood, granting him a clearer lens through which he could view China’s path of development.

Diplomatic relations between China and Austria were officially established in 1971. Seven years later, Alfred Pitterle participated as an Austrian expert in a tree seed exchange project between China and Austria. This marked the beginning of his profound connection with China in both personal and professional terms, a bond that has now spanned four decades. During these years, he has been actively involved in China’s ecological civilization development, supporting the nation’s green growth with professional dedication. One such endeavor is the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, which he admiringly calls a green miracle. His footsteps have traversed extensive parts of the country, and he has personally taken part in and witnessed this ongoing ecological progress.

Years of hands-on involvement have given Pitterle a profound understanding of China’s ecological landscape. He firmly believes that ecology transcends national boundaries, and that China’s unique, diverse, and complex forests are vital to global ecological security. For this reason, he has frequently traveled between Austria and China, bringing European forestry management practices and adapting them to the lush landscapes of China.

In 1996, as a technical expert for the Sino-German Financial Cooperation Afforestation Project, Pitterle provided on-site support in Jiangxi, including sites such as Yongxiu County. He assisted with work including tree species selection and spatial planning, playing a key role in enhancing both the ecological and socioeconomic benefits of the project.

In April of this year, when Pitterle returned to Meitang Town, Yongxiu County—a site of the Sino-German Financial Cooperation Afforestation Project in Jiangxi—an elderly local resident learned that the technical expert in front of him was in fact one of those who had helped villagers plant trees years ago. The old man clasped Pitterle’s hand and said in a thick local accent, “This forest has given us hope. Every tree we planted back then now brings in ten yuan a year…”

They did not share a common language. Yet as the two elders walked side by side through the woods, with sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting dappled shadows on the ground, words seemed unnecessary. Silently, the trees kept growing—and so did the understanding and friendship across nations, taking root in the soil beneath their feet.

A Cultivator of Ecological Consciousness

Afforestation may beautify the planet, but Pitterle believes what matters even more is to foster ecological awareness throughout society. Only then will the green endure. What matters to him is not the solutions, but what they leave behind. Hence, he would rather see himself as a cultivator of ecological consciousness.

Since 2024, Pitterle has served as a distinguished professor at Jiangxi Normal University, teaching graduate students in the School of Geography and Environment. In his classroom, rigid frameworks have given way to real-world examples which show how the global ecosystem is interconnected. Students find themselves drawn in. Among them is Wu Zihan, a master’s student in Physical Geography of the 2024 intake.

“In Professor Pitterle’s class, forests are no longer just distant scenery. They become living networks, connecting people to nature and regions to regions,” recalled Wu Zihan. He noted that when lecturing on the global pattern of forest conservation, Pitterle was never confined to European examples. Instead, he adopted a global perspective, weaving together the governance wisdom of different nations. That kind of cross-territory dialogue, he said, “has made the knowledge come alive.”

“He highlighted the role of China in global forest preservation in particular,” Wu added. “China’s practices—protecting natural forests and returning farmland to woodland—have long been studied and discussed internationally as exemplary models.”

Pitterle’s global outlook has profoundly influenced younger researchers. Yang Wenjing, an associate researcher at the School of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, serves as the liaison between the university and Pitterle. Her main role is to assist him in organizing materials related to scientific collaboration and international exchanges. She said, “Professor Pitterle is a scholar of remarkable purity. He believes that to tackle global ecological challenges, we must transcend disciplinary and geographical boundaries, deepening our understanding of natural systems so as to galvanize action.”

Influenced by Professor Pitterle, Yang now places greater emphasis on the societal value of her work, rather than merely focusing on publishing papers. “My research perspective has broadened,” Yang remarked. “For instance, when studying Poyang Lake, we don’t just map its boundaries. We try to understand how it connects with the entire watershed.”

Pitterle’s story shows how deep connections can be forged across green landscapes. These connections are not only between humanity and nature, but also reflect a shared understanding between civilizations pursuing the same path toward sustainability.

On this year’s Arbor Day, Pitterle planted a sapling at Jiangxi Normal University. Its roots gripped the soil, while its branches reached for the sky. One day, as young students pass by the tree, they may pause beneath its shade. In that moment, they may recall the old man who came from afar, and how he taught them to understand nature.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/an-austrian-scholars-47-years-of-green-commitment-to-china-302651113.html

SOURCE Jiangxi International Communication Center(JXICC)

Images of Angelenos supporting those taken in federal immigration raids will be projected onto Hall of Records building during NYELA.

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A major civil rights campaign using art to raise questions about federal immigration enforcement will take the stage at NYELA, the massive annual New Year’s Eve celebration in Gloria Molina Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. 

The “Am I Next” campaign will project images of everyday Angelenos onto the Hall of Records as they pose the unsettling question of whether they, too, could be taken in immigration raids that have detained tens of thousands of people — including U.S. citizens — this year. 

The installation reflects NYELA’s 2026 theme, “The Power of One.” At a moment of heightened uncertainty—when questions of safety, belonging and civil rights feel immediate and under threat for many communities—the projection offers a moment of pause, solidarity and presence in a larger public gathering.

Echoing the belief that change begins with one person and one act, the installation invites viewers to reflect on the stakes of the present moment and to recommit to core American values of due process, equal protection and dignity for everyone.

“NYELA and Am I Next reflect the Los Angeles community we know and love—shaped by people from everywhere and bound by a shared belief in fairness,” said Lucas Rivera, project director of Am I Next. “The ‘Power of One’ speaks to something deeply Angeleno: that each of us matters and that dignity and due process begin with recognizing one another’s humanity.”

The California Community Foundation, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes and the Japanese American National Museum — institutions committed to public reflection and democratic values — began projecting illuminated images of Angelenos and brief descriptions of those taken on their buildings in November. The installation will continue into the new year, expanding to sites across Los Angeles. 

NYELA is known as the largest free New Year’s Eve celebration on the West Coast, attended by thousands of Angelenos. The event features live music on two stages, musical performances, interactive art installations, food trucks and the climactic midnight countdown show projected onto L.A. City Hall. 

For more information, visit aminextla.org.

Media Contact
Lucas Rivera
267-788-4294
lucas@sakulcreative.com

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SOURCE California Community Foundation

Amid a challenging equity landscape, Selma-based organization doubles down on commitment to Black girls and women in the South

SELMA, Ala., Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As funding for racial and gender equity initiatives faces nationwide rollbacks, Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium responded by expanding its reach and deepening its impact. In 2025, the organization invested more than $1.2 million through its Black Girls Dream Fund, Innovation Fund, and Black Girls Defense Fund, supporting over 60 organizations and more than 25 small businesses across 13 Southern states.

Southern Black Girls also reached a historic milestone this year: awarding its 1,000th Black Girl Joy Challenge grant. The nationally recognized program provides monetary grants to girls ages 13-24 to spread joy in their communities. With 100 new grants awarded in 2025, the program has now invested in 1,000 young leaders since launching in 2020.

“This year proved that even in difficult times, investing in organizations that center Black girls and women is an act of resistance, imagination, and faith in the future,” said Chanceé Lundy, Executive Director of Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium.

In June, Southern Black Girls brought together over 1,300 Black girls and women in Atlanta for the 2025 Black Girls Dream Conference, themed “She Got Next.” The two-day gathering featured 80 workshops on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math), mental health, financial empowerment, and social justice, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to preparing the next generation of Black women leaders.

The organization’s investment in Black women entrepreneurs also yielded powerful results. Crystal Chisholm, founder of The Oyster Journal—a platform connecting oyster enthusiasts with growers—received mentoring and financial support this year through Southern Black Girls’ Dream Investment Program.

“When I first launched my app, I built it myself, but I had technical limitations,” said Chisholm. “This grant allowed me to hire a contractor to add premium features that will generate revenue for the first time. This marks our shift from building community to creating financial sustainability.”

2025 marked the first full year of leadership under Executive Director Chanceé Lundy, whose journey with Southern Black Girls represents a powerful full-circle moment. Her relationship with Founder LaTosha Brown began more than 30 years ago, when Brown mentored a 14-year-old Lundy through a community youth program in Selma, AL. That intergenerational bond embodies the Consortium’s commitment to investing in the very organizations that work to impact Black girls and women.

“As this year comes to a close, I’m reminded that even when the road is rough, we are still holding on,” Lundy shared in a recent letter to supporters. “Even under pressure, we showed up, expanded our giving, and stayed intentional about meeting this moment.”

As Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium looks toward the future, the organization remains committed to expanding its grantmaking, strengthening grassroots infrastructure, and continuing to model what equitable, community-rooted philanthropy can look like in the South.

About Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium

Founded in 2017 by LaTosha Brown, Felecia Lucky, Alice Eason Jenkins, and Margo Miller, Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium is a philanthropic organization dedicated to channeling greater resources to underfunded organizations centering Black girls and women across 13 Southern states. Headquartered in Selma, AL, Southern Black Girls employs participatory grantmaking approaches that center Black girls’ voices while supporting racial justice, education, health and wellness, economic mobility, and leadership development. Since its founding, Southern Black Girls has awarded over $11.4 million to more than 250 Black women-led organizations and provided over $600,000 in grants to 1,000 girls through initiatives like the #BlackGirlJoyChallenge.

For more information, visit www.southernblackgirls.org or follow @SouthernBlackGirls on social media.

Media Contact: 

Candice M. Dixon, Communications Manager
candice@southernblackgirls.org
(334) 394-3236

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southern-black-girls-invests-over-1-2-million-in-2025–reaches-historic-black-girl-joy-challenge-milestone-302650945.html

SOURCE Southern Black Girls & Women’s Consortium

Leading national tire and wheel retailer opening its first location in the state

BURLINGTON, N.J., Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — America’s Tire, a leading retailer of tires and wheels, opened its first location in the entire state of New Jersey. The new tire store is located at 2501 Mount Holly Road, near the intersection of Burlington-Mount Holly Road and I-295. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday. America’s Tire is closed Sunday.

The phone number for the new America’s Tire store in Burlington is (609) 326-9366. Its webpage can be found at www.americastire.com/store/NJ/Burlington/s/2408. Customers can schedule an appointment online for an even quicker tire shopping and service experience using America’s Tire Store Locator.

As a service to drivers, America’s Tire offers customers free tire repair and air pressure checks at its new Burlington location and reminds New Jersey drivers of tire safety tips, including the importance of properly inflated tires.

“Our doors are officially open, so we invite all of Burlington County to come say hello and get their tires checked for free,” said America’s Tire store manager Gene Bailey. “America’s Tire might be an unfamiliar brand to the drivers of New Jersey, but our team of tire experts is ready and trained to provide the easy, inviting, and safe customer experience we are known for across the country.”

America’s Tire sells a wide selection of leading tire brands, including Michelin, Nitto, Goodyear, Bridgestone, BFGoodrich, Pirelli, Falken, Continental, and Cooper. America’s Tire also sells a variety of wheel brands, including Fuel, MB, Vision, American Outlaw, TSW, Liquid Metal, and Black Rhino. All America’s Tire stores also offer wheels and windshield wiper replacement.

Founded in 1960, America’s Tire has grown from a one-man tire shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan, into one of the nation’s leading tire retailers. The company has seen exponential growth over the past decade, recently surpassing 1,250 stores in 2025. This new Burlington location will also mark the company’s expansion into its 40th state.

America’s Tire guarantees the lowest prices on tires and is focused on making tire buying easy and hassle-free for drivers in Burlington, New Jersey. America’s Tire also offers ongoing deals to help customers save on their tire and wheel purchases.

Additionally, to start shopping for the best tire for a driver’s individual needs, America’s Tire offers Treadwell, the same tool used by its experts in-store to recommend tires, which can be accessed online at AmericasTire.com/Treadwell to provide personalized tire recommendations based on where you drive, what you drive, and how you drive.

About America’s Tire
America’s Tire is a leading independent retailer of tires, wheels, and windshield wipers. Founded in 1960 by Bruce T. Halle, the company serves customers at more than 1,250 stores in 40 states. The company does business as Discount Tire in most of the U.S. and as America’s Tire in parts of California, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Treadwell, the company’s proprietary online tire recommendation tool, uses decades of data and individual driving habits to recommend the right tires for each driver’s unique needs. America’s Tire is a primary sponsor of the No. 2 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Official Tire Retailer of Major League Soccer. For more information, visit www.americastire.com.

Media Contact
Kerry O’Malley Gleim
pressemails@americastire.com
(844) 400-0221

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/americas-tire-expands-retail-footprint-into-new-jersey-302650850.html

SOURCE Discount Tire

Leading national tire and wheel retailer opening its first location in the state

BURLINGTON, N.J., Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — America’s Tire, a leading retailer of tires and wheels, opened its first location in the entire state of New Jersey. The new tire store is located at 2501 Mount Holly Road, near the intersection of Burlington-Mount Holly Road and I-295. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday. America’s Tire is closed Sunday.

The phone number for the new America’s Tire store in Burlington is (609) 326-9366. Its webpage can be found at www.americastire.com/store/NJ/Burlington/s/2408. Customers can schedule an appointment online for an even quicker tire shopping and service experience using America’s Tire Store Locator.

As a service to drivers, America’s Tire offers customers free tire repair and air pressure checks at its new Burlington location and reminds New Jersey drivers of tire safety tips, including the importance of properly inflated tires.

“Our doors are officially open, so we invite all of Burlington County to come say hello and get their tires checked for free,” said America’s Tire store manager Gene Bailey. “America’s Tire might be an unfamiliar brand to the drivers of New Jersey, but our team of tire experts is ready and trained to provide the easy, inviting, and safe customer experience we are known for across the country.”

America’s Tire sells a wide selection of leading tire brands, including Michelin, Nitto, Goodyear, Bridgestone, BFGoodrich, Pirelli, Falken, Continental, and Cooper. America’s Tire also sells a variety of wheel brands, including Fuel, MB, Vision, American Outlaw, TSW, Liquid Metal, and Black Rhino. All America’s Tire stores also offer wheels and windshield wiper replacement.

Founded in 1960, America’s Tire has grown from a one-man tire shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan, into one of the nation’s leading tire retailers. The company has seen exponential growth over the past decade, recently surpassing 1,250 stores in 2025. This new Burlington location will also mark the company’s expansion into its 40th state.

America’s Tire guarantees the lowest prices on tires and is focused on making tire buying easy and hassle-free for drivers in Burlington, New Jersey. America’s Tire also offers ongoing deals to help customers save on their tire and wheel purchases.

Additionally, to start shopping for the best tire for a driver’s individual needs, America’s Tire offers Treadwell, the same tool used by its experts in-store to recommend tires, which can be accessed online at AmericasTire.com/Treadwell to provide personalized tire recommendations based on where you drive, what you drive, and how you drive.

About America’s Tire
America’s Tire is a leading independent retailer of tires, wheels, and windshield wipers. Founded in 1960 by Bruce T. Halle, the company serves customers at more than 1,250 stores in 40 states. The company does business as Discount Tire in most of the U.S. and as America’s Tire in parts of California, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Treadwell, the company’s proprietary online tire recommendation tool, uses decades of data and individual driving habits to recommend the right tires for each driver’s unique needs. America’s Tire is a primary sponsor of the No. 2 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Official Tire Retailer of Major League Soccer. For more information, visit www.americastire.com.

Media Contact
Kerry O’Malley Gleim
pressemails@americastire.com
(844) 400-0221

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/americas-tire-expands-retail-footprint-into-new-jersey-302650850.html

SOURCE Discount Tire

Leading national tire and wheel retailer opening its first location in the state

BURLINGTON, N.J., Dec. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — America’s Tire, a leading retailer of tires and wheels, opened its first location in the entire state of New Jersey. The new tire store is located at 2501 Mount Holly Road, near the intersection of Burlington-Mount Holly Road and I-295. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday. America’s Tire is closed Sunday.

The phone number for the new America’s Tire store in Burlington is (609) 326-9366. Its webpage can be found at www.americastire.com/store/NJ/Burlington/s/2408. Customers can schedule an appointment online for an even quicker tire shopping and service experience using America’s Tire Store Locator.

As a service to drivers, America’s Tire offers customers free tire repair and air pressure checks at its new Burlington location and reminds New Jersey drivers of tire safety tips, including the importance of properly inflated tires.

“Our doors are officially open, so we invite all of Burlington County to come say hello and get their tires checked for free,” said America’s Tire store manager Gene Bailey. “America’s Tire might be an unfamiliar brand to the drivers of New Jersey, but our team of tire experts is ready and trained to provide the easy, inviting, and safe customer experience we are known for across the country.”

America’s Tire sells a wide selection of leading tire brands, including Michelin, Nitto, Goodyear, Bridgestone, BFGoodrich, Pirelli, Falken, Continental, and Cooper. America’s Tire also sells a variety of wheel brands, including Fuel, MB, Vision, American Outlaw, TSW, Liquid Metal, and Black Rhino. All America’s Tire stores also offer wheels and windshield wiper replacement.

Founded in 1960, America’s Tire has grown from a one-man tire shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan, into one of the nation’s leading tire retailers. The company has seen exponential growth over the past decade, recently surpassing 1,250 stores in 2025. This new Burlington location will also mark the company’s expansion into its 40th state.

America’s Tire guarantees the lowest prices on tires and is focused on making tire buying easy and hassle-free for drivers in Burlington, New Jersey. America’s Tire also offers ongoing deals to help customers save on their tire and wheel purchases.

Additionally, to start shopping for the best tire for a driver’s individual needs, America’s Tire offers Treadwell, the same tool used by its experts in-store to recommend tires, which can be accessed online at AmericasTire.com/Treadwell to provide personalized tire recommendations based on where you drive, what you drive, and how you drive.

About America’s Tire
America’s Tire is a leading independent retailer of tires, wheels, and windshield wipers. Founded in 1960 by Bruce T. Halle, the company serves customers at more than 1,250 stores in 40 states. The company does business as Discount Tire in most of the U.S. and as America’s Tire in parts of California, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Treadwell, the company’s proprietary online tire recommendation tool, uses decades of data and individual driving habits to recommend the right tires for each driver’s unique needs. America’s Tire is a primary sponsor of the No. 2 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Official Tire Retailer of Major League Soccer. For more information, visit www.americastire.com.

Media Contact
Kerry O’Malley Gleim
pressemails@americastire.com
(844) 400-0221

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/americas-tire-expands-retail-footprint-into-new-jersey-302650850.html

SOURCE Discount Tire