Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Top Takeaways

• Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) data helped strengthen Komar’s climate strategy, providing critical facility-level environmental data that contributed to the development and SBTi validation of the company’s new near-term, long-term, and net-zero emissions reduction targets.
• Komar achieved 100 percent Higg FEM participation across more than 275 Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, with over 80 percent completing verification, creating a robust foundation of primary supply chain environmental data.
• By combining Higg FEM data with other insights, Komar improved the measurement of Scope 3 Category 1 emissions, which represent more than 70 percent of its total carbon footprint, moving beyond estimated data to more representative primary data.
• Supplier engagement was treated as a capability-building exercise, rather than a compliance requirement, with customized training and support helping suppliers identify hotspots, establish baselines, and drive continuous environmental improvement.
• Improved data quality translated into more ambitious climate commitments, including SBTi-approved targets to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 65 percent and Scope 3 emissions by 25 percent by 2030 from a 2024 baseline, while committing to achieve net-zero emissions across the value chain by 2050.

As Komar’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Dr. Thiwanka De Fonseka, explained in a recent “Source of Good” podcast episode, as the company expanded its sustainability strategy, leadership recognized that stronger climate commitments would require stronger data. Improving the quality, accuracy, and coverage of emissions data across the value chain became a strategic priority – particularly for Scope 3 emissions, which represent the vast majority of the apparel sector’s climate impact.

To build that foundation, Komar turned to industry-aligned tools, including the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM), which is stewarded and governed by Cascale and implemented globally through the Worldly sustainability and supply chain intelligence platform.

The result: a stronger emissions data foundation, greater visibility into supply chain impacts, and newly validated SBTi near-term, long-term, and net-zero targets from a 2024 baseline year.

Building a More Accurate Picture of Scope 3 Emissions

For many apparel brands, Scope 3 emissions remain one of the most difficult areas to measure accurately. Estimates often rely on secondary data and generalized emissions factors that provide only a partial picture of value-chain impacts. Komar sought a different approach.

Under the company’s “Planet” strategic pillar, which is one of the two main pillars of its holistic sustainability strategy, “Sus-Tex 2030”, the Higg FEM became a key tool for collecting facility-level environmental data across its supply chain. This includes information related to energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water use, wastewater management, waste generation, and chemical management.

Beginning in 2024, Komar expanded supplier participation in the Higg FEM and integrated the resulting facility-level insights into its broader climate strategy. At the same time, the company adopted Worldly’s Product Impact Calculator to improve the measurement of Scope 3 Category 1 emissions, which account for more than 70 percent of Komar’s total greenhouse gas footprint.

Together, the Higg FEM and Worldly’s Product Impact Calculator (PIC) enabled Komar to move beyond estimated emissions calculations and incorporate increasingly robust primary data from suppliers, materials, and manufacturing operations.

“One of our first tasks was to create a proper strategy and then identify credible tools to collect the data needed to monitor progress,” De Fonseka said. “If you have a strategy without credible data, there’s nothing you can do.”

Scaling Higg FEM Across the Supply Chain

To support its climate and environmental goals, Komar launched a comprehensive supplier engagement program centered on the Higg FEM. The company began by mandating participation in the Higg FEM for its strategic suppliers in 2023, then expanded the requirement across its T1 and T2 suppliers in 2024 as a “mandatory” requirement.

As reported in the Komar 2025 Sustainability Progress Report, published in 2025 (based on 2024 calendar year data):

• More than 275 Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers have completed Higg FEM self-assessments.
• More than 80 percent have completed verification.
• Komar has achieved 100 percent Higg FEM participation across Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers.

Importantly, Komar did not approach completion of the Higg FEM as a compliance exercise. Recognizing that many facilities lack dedicated sustainability teams, the company developed customized training programs, practical toolkits, and supplier support resources designed to help facilities use their own data to identify hotspots, establish baselines, develop action plans, and drive continuous improvement. “We consider the Higg FEM to be an improvement tool rather than a data collection tool or audit tool,” said De Fonseka.

As supplier engagement increased, environmental performance improved. Average Higg FEM scores rose from the 40-point range to the 60-point range, reflecting stronger environmental management systems and greater understanding of sustainability performance across the supply chain.

From Higg FEM Data to SBTi Validation

As Komar’s data quality improved, the company undertook a comprehensive review of its climate targets. Informed by Higg FEM and Worldly PIC data, Komar established a new set of science-based targets, with 2024 as the baseline year.

The updated targets reflect improvements in data quality, emissions accounting methodologies, and value-chain coverage, creating a stronger and more accurate foundation for long-term climate action.

Komar’s newly approved SBTi commitments include:

• Net-Zero Target: Achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050.
• Near-Term Target (2030): Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 65 percent; reduce absolute Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent.
• Long-Term Target (2050): Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent; reduce absolute Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent.

For Komar, the approval of these targets represents more than a climate milestone. It demonstrates how credible, primary supply chain data can strengthen corporate climate strategies and support more ambitious decarbonization pathways.

Looking Ahead

Komar views target validation as a starting point, not the finish line. “Setting emissions reduction targets is often one of the easiest steps in an organization’s decarbonization journey,” says De Fonseka. “The greater challenge lies in implementing the meaningful actions, investments, and transformational initiatives required to achieve those targets.”

The company is currently finalizing its Climate Transition Plan and 2025 Sustainability Annual Report, which will outline the actions being taken to achieve its approved science-based targets.

As a privately held company, Komar is not required to publicly disclose this information. However, consistent with its commitment to transparency and continuous improvement, the company has chosen to share its progress publicly. Komar is demonstrating how better data can enable more credible climate commitments and help turn net-zero ambition into measurable action.

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Learn More About Higg Facility Tools

AMSTERDAM and HONG KONG and OAKLAND, Calif., June 17, 2026 /3BL/ – Cascale today announced the program for its 2026 Annual Meeting, taking place September 15–17 in Athens, Greece. Bringing together more than 700 leaders from across the consumer goods value chain, the hybrid event will explore how the industry can more effectively distribute the costs, responsibilities, incentives, and benefits tied to supply chain transformation.

Celebrating the 15th edition of Cascale’s flagship convening, the Annual Meeting will feature more than 80 speakers, four stages of programming plus virtual access, and dedicated opportunities for executive-level engagement. Ying McGuire, who assumed the role of Cascale CEO on June 1, will take the stage to share her perspective on the next chapter for Cascale and the role of collective industry action to advance measurable environmental and social progress.

“As the industry navigates rising expectations alongside growing operational and economic pressures, collaboration must become more actionable, measurable, and business-driven,” said Ying McGuire, CEO, Cascale. “I see this Annual Meeting as an opportunity to convene leaders around a shared vision for progress — one where sustainability is embedded into core business strategy, supported by trusted data and aligned incentives, and capable of delivering value across the entire supply chain. My vision for Cascale is to help the industry build the partnerships and accountability needed to accelerate that transition at scale.”

Key Takeaways

• Cascale has released the program for its 2026 Annual Meeting in Athens
• The September 15–17 hybrid event will convene 700+ leaders from across the global consumer goods ecosystem
• Incoming CEO Ying McGuire will set the course for collaboration, accountability, and long-term industry transformation
• Four stages and virtual access – main and impact stages will be livestreamed – will support global participation
• Sponsorship opportunities are still available

A Program Centered on Practical Transformation

Hosted at the InterContinental Athenaeum Athens, the 2026 Annual Meeting will focus on how companies across the value chain can align around practical approaches to financing and implementing sustainability initiatives while strengthening business resilience and competitiveness.

The agenda will bring together perspectives from brands, retailers, manufacturers, policymakers, NGOs, and solution providers to examine how the industry can move from fragmented efforts toward coordinated, scalable action.

“Progress depends on building greater consistency, transparency, and trust across the value chain. Ensuring representation from organizations working across compliance, verification, manufacturing, retail, and sustainability strategy helps create conversations that are grounded in operational realities while still pushing the industry toward more ambitious outcomes.” — Rick Horwitch, Bureau Veritas chief of supply chain & sustainability strategy & global retail lead and and 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting Program Advisory Group member

“Supply chain transformation requires deeper collaboration across every stage of production and sourcing.Cascale’s Annual meeting creates a space where manufacturers from all tiers, brands, sourcing organizations and solution providers to exchange practical experience, learn from one another, and develop scalable solutions to the shared challenges facing today’s and tomorrow’s consumer goods industry.” — Jonathan Salmon, Li & Fung (Trading) Limited head of sustainability and 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting Program Advisory Group member

“Brands and retailers have an important role to play in helping align market expectations, purchasing practices, and sustainability priorities. But meaningful transformation only happens when the full ecosystem is part of the discussion. A program shaped by diverse industry perspectives creates stronger opportunities for collaboration, accountability, and scalable impact.” — Liz Lipton-McCombie, Nordstrom head of ESG and sustainability and 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting Advisory Board member

“To move the industry forward, sustainability conversations must connect directly to business decision-making, operational execution, and long-term resilience. Having representation across the value chain and beyond — from manufacturers and recyclers to brands, retailers, and NGOs — ensures the program reflects both the complexity of the challenges and the practical pathways toward progress.” — Mark Newbold, Primark environmental sustainability programme lead and 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting Program Advisory Group member

“Manufacturers and material innovators are critical to translating industry ambition into real-world implementation. Ensuring these perspectives are represented alongside brands, retailers, NGOs, and service providers creates a more balanced dialogue around what is achievable, where investment is needed, and how the industry can accelerate scalable solutions together.” — Ana Rodes, head of sustainability at Recover™ and 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting Program Advisory Group member

“The challenges facing global supply chains cannot be solved by single actors, nor single perspectives. Bringing together voices from across the sector—NGOs, industry organizations, manufacturers, brands, retailers, and solution providers—means we are able to respond to these shared challenges collectively, and in a way that works for everyone. A strong program is one that enables those in the room to understand their role in driving meaningful progress, but also how they can support others to do so.” Monica Buchan-Ng, Textile Exchange industry activation lead and 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting Program Advisory Group member

Worldly, the sustainability and supply chain intelligence platform for consumer goods, is the event’s lead sponsor and will host a stage, sharing deep expertise on protecting against supply chain risk, compliance reporting, and the Higg Index, stewarded and governed by Cascale and powered globally by Worldly, which assesses and improves the social and environmental impact of producing and selling products.

Learn more and register for Cascale Annual Meeting 2026!

Organizations interested in elevating their presence and engaging directly with industry leaders are invited to explore sponsorship opportunities. To learn more about sponsorship packages or to express interest, please contact Cascale’s events team through this page.

Media Contact: Forster Communications, cascaleforster@forster.co.uk

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance driving systemic transformation to combat climate change and support decent work in the consumer goods industry. Formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale unites a diverse, worldwide ecosystem of over 300 retailer, brand, manufacturer, supplier, service provider, government, academic, and nonprofit members.

Our alliance catalyzes pre-competitive collaboration for maximum impact, anchored by our stewardship of the Higg Index frameworks — implemented through the Worldly technology platform — and recent acquisition of the Better Buying and Sustainable Furnishings Council tools. While these methodologies are central to our work, they are part of a broader strategy to mobilize collective action, challenge industry norms, and build an industry that gives back more than it takes to the planet and its people.

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KeyBank is investing in strong and resilient futures for at-risk youth in Canyon County with a $20,000 grant to the Breaking Chains Academy of Development (BCAD), supporting a program designed to help young people reconnect with education and prepare for the workforce.

The funding will bolster BCAD’s Canyon County Youth Empowerment (CCYE) Project, which serves about 100 youth ages 16 to 18 each year. The program targets teens facing barriers such as housing instability, school disengagement, trauma, and involvement with the justice system, offering an alternative pathway toward stability and self-sufficiency.

Participants in the program receive individualized instruction to earn a GED or high school equivalency, along with job readiness training, mentoring, and access to essential services like meals, transportation, and mental health referrals.

KeyBank officials said the grant reflects the company’s broader commitment to strengthening communities through education and workforce development.

“KeyBank is committed to investing in organizations that strengthen our community and create lasting opportunity,” said Scott Schlange, Idaho market president for KeyBank. “BCAD is doing critical work to support young people at a pivotal time in their lives. This grant will help expand access to education, workforce development, and essential services that empower youth to achieve long-term success.”

Breaking Chains leaders say the funding will directly expand the organization’s reach and impact, helping more young people overcome obstacles that have historically limited their opportunities.

“This support from KeyBank is an investment in the potential of the young people we serve,” said Luis Granados, executive director for BCAD. “It allows us to continue providing the education, mentorship, and critical resources our students need to overcome obstacles and build independent, successful futures.”

Each year, the CCYE Project is expected to help around 60 students earn their GED or equivalent, with most participants moving on to employment, job training, or postsecondary education. Program leaders say the approach not only improves outcomes for individuals but also contributes to safer, more resilient communities by reducing recidivism and strengthening the local workforce.

Breaking Chains, founded in 2016, focuses on supporting youth who are often overlooked by traditional education systems. Through its combination of academic instruction and wraparound services, the organization aims to break cycles of poverty, crime, and instability across Canyon County.

When we think of disaster relief, we often picture the immediate aftermath: delivering critical supplies and life-saving aid to affected communities. However, at FedEx, our Delivering for Good initiative goes far beyond responding after a crisis strikes. We know that the most effective disaster response starts long before the storm hits or the ground shakes. Humanitarian organizations plan and train all year long, so they are ready for the next emergency, and we are committed to helping them get ready before disaster occurs.

A critical part of this mission is investing in the readiness of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) we support. We are proud to collaborate with organizations like Heart to Heart International by funding hands-on Emergency Medical Team (EMT) training exercises. These immersive simulations replicate real-world disaster scenarios, allowing staff and volunteers to practice setting up mobile clinics, coordinating complex logistics, and triaging patients in a controlled but realistic environment.

This proactive investment in readiness ensures that when the time comes, teams can act swiftly and decisively. The training builds critical skills, confidence, and teamwork, empowering responders to step into leadership roles and operate seamlessly in high-pressure situations. By enhancing these capabilities year-round, Heart to Heart International is equipped to deliver faster, higher-quality medical care to communities in crisis.

See Our Support in Action

We are honored to help make this vital, year-round preparation possible. Here’s a video from Heart to Heart International showcasing their EMT training in action and the impact of our ongoing collaboration.

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

COMPLIMENTARY WEBINAR

Get Certified: Unlock the Value of SBP Certification

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

10:30 AM PT | 1:30 PM ET

REGISTER NOW

Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) certification is rapidly becoming a key requirement across global energy and natural resource markets. Whether you’re new to SBP or looking to strengthen your compliance strategy, this session will walk you through everything you need to know about certification.

Join SCS Global Services on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, for an informational session with Lindsey Mauldin, Director of Sales, Natural Resources, and Trevor O’Brien, Sales Manager, Forestry.

They’ll cover:

• What SBP certification is and why it matters
• Key requirements and eligibility criteria
• Step-by-step certification process
• Common challenges and how to avoid them
• Real-world examples and best practices

SECURE YOUR SPOT

Last week, Partnership for a Healthier America announced the launch of the Good Food Coalition, designed to expand access to nutritious food across the United States.

Starting this August, families who purchase select better-for-you products (designated as “GOOD GOOD” and validated by registered dietitians), will help provide nutritious meals to families experiencing food insecurity. Each qualifying purchase contributes to PHA’s hunger relief efforts, turning everyday grocery decisions into meaningful impact.

Turning Better Choices into Greater Access

As a Founding Partner, WK Kellogg Co joins Bel North America alongside major retail collaborators Amazon and The GIANT Company, bringing the program to millions of households both online and in-store during the back-to-school season.

Together, with our founding partners, we’ve committed nearly $1 million to PHA’s Healthy Hunger Relief initiatives, working to unlock millions of servings of nutritious food for families in need.

Simplifying Healthy Choices

Each participating product will carry the “GOOD GOOD” designation, which is supported by Guiding Stars, a leading nutrition rating system. This labeling will help to cut through confusion at the shelf, making it easier for families to identify nutritious options they can trust.

WK Kellogg Co’s Commitment

“At WK Kellogg Co, we believe everyone deserves access to nutritious food and the opportunity to thrive — a belief central to our Feeding Happiness™ sustainable business strategy,” said Sarah Ludmer, Chief Wellbeing and Sustainable Business Officer at WK Kellogg Co. “For generations, cereal has been a simple, nutritious, delicious and trusted way to help nourish families—bringing essential nutrients to tables across our communities. That’s why we’re proud to join the Good Food Coalition as a Founding Partner to help expand access to nutritious food and support hunger relief for families in need.”

About the Good Food Coalition

Launched by Partnership for a Healthier America, the Good Food Coalition brings together brands, retailers, and community partners to make nutritious food more accessible, affordable, and visible, helping ensure every family can make the healthy choice.

Originally published on Truist Newsroom

• Nearly half (48%) of Truist patent application filings include an AI or machine learning component across technology categories.
• Patent applications are up 63% over the last year.
• Teammate participation is up 58% over the last year.
• Truist reaches Patent 300® list.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 12, 2026 /3BL/ – Truist is accelerating how innovation is developed and deployed across the organization. More teammates are submitting ideas, which helped drive a 63% increase in patent application filings over the past year. These results capture just one part of Truist’s innovation story. A closer look at the patent activity shows that nearly half of patent application filings were AI-powered inventions, signaling Truist’s deliberate effort to embed machine learning, advanced analytics and automation into core business functions.

The growth in patent filings has earned Truist a place on the Patent 300® list, recognizing the top corporate innovators in the United States. The recognition reflects Truist’s sustained investment in innovation and its expanding role in advancing award-winning technology that brings its digitally empowered, deeply relational vision to life all while delivering seamless and personalized experiences for clients.

“Innovation is defined by how quickly strong ideas can become meaningful outcomes,” said Steve Hagerman, Chief Information Officer at Truist and current patent holder. “At Truist, we’re creating a faster, more direct path from teammate ideas to real impact for our clients by combining human creativity with the power of AI.”

This approach is driving measurable increases in participation across the organization. Over the past year, the number of teammates submitting patent applications rose 58%, reflecting a deliberate focus on enabling innovation at all levels of the company and scaling ideas that originate from across the enterprise.

Truist’s innovation efforts remain grounded in its purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. As the company expands its use of artificial intelligence, it continues to prioritize responsible development and deployment to ensure innovations deliver meaningful and trusted outcomes for clients.

“As AI becomes more deeply integrated into financial services, trust must be built into every solution from the start,” said Joy Middleton-Saulny, a Truist AI & Data Executive. “At Truist, we are focused on developing technologies that prioritize security, transparency, and responsible data use, ensuring clients can engage with their finances confidently and securely.”

Since the inception of its patent program, Truist has secured over 1,200 patents and patent applications. The portfolio includes patents and applications for Truist Client Pulse, an in-house AI innovation that turns millions of client conversations into actionable insights, with traceability to original feedback and continuously refreshed data and models.

About Truist

Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist has leading market share in many of the high-growth markets in the U.S. and offers a wide range of products and services through wholesale and consumer businesses, including consumer and small business banking, commercial and corporate banking, investment banking and capital markets, wealth management, payments, and specialized lending businesses. Truist is a top 10 commercial bank with $549 billion as of March 31, 2026. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Learn more at Truist.com.

SOURCE Truist Financial Corporation

For further information: Alex Lawson, alex.lawson@truist.com

Originally published on CVS Health Company Newsroom

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo., June 17, 2026 /3BL/ – Aetna Better Health of Missouri, a CVS Health company (NYSE: CVS), today announced a new collaboration with community-focused organizations to improve maternal health and women’s health outcomes in rural Missouri. Through a $720,000 commitment made by Aetna via the Global Mobile Healthcare Research Consortium (GMHRC), the initiative will bring mobile women’s care services and connection to maternal health services directly to communities in Southeast Missouri.

Access to maternity care remains a pressing challenge in rural areas. According to March of Dimes, access to care during pregnancy and around the time of birth is not consistently available across the country. In Missouri, 11.2% of babies were born to women living in rural counties, yet only 3.7% of maternity care providers practice in those areas. This disparity underscores the need for innovative, community-based solutions.

To help address these gaps, Aetna Better Health of Missouri is collaborating with the GMHRC, a nonprofit organization supported by Mission Mobile Medical, a provider of mobile health care solutions, and Missouri Highlands Health Care, a Community Health Center (CHC), to launch and operate a mobile health unit. The clinic will deliver women’s care services and connection to prenatal, postpartum, primary care and maternal mental health services to communities facing barriers to care. The clinic will be staffed by a health care provider and deliver services to all members of the community, regardless of insurance status.

“This collaboration represents an important step toward ensuring that all women, regardless of where they live, have access to high-quality maternal health services,” said Lisa Baird, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Missouri. “By bringing care directly into rural communities, we’re helping remove barriers and creating healthier futures for mothers and their babies.”

The initiative will kick off with a ribbon cutting event today at Missouri Highlands Health Care in Poplar Bluff. The event is open to community leaders and will feature tours of the clinic.

The mobile clinic will begin scheduling patients in the community on June 29, 2026 at a launch event located at Town and Country Grocery in Piedmont. The launch event will be open to the public and attendees will have the opportunity to tour the clinic and receive educational materials focused on women’s, maternal and mental health.

The mobile clinic will regularly visit 10 locations over the next year across areas served by Missouri Highlands Health Care in Southeast Missouri. Site selection will be guided by data related to maternal health care needs, access barriers and community capacity. More information is available on the Missouri Highlands Health Care website.

“At Missouri Highlands Health Care, we see firsthand the challenges rural families face in accessing timely maternal care,” said Karen R. White, CEO of Missouri Highlands Health Care. “This mobile unit allows us to meet patients where they are, expanding access to essential primary, prenatal, postpartum and behavioral health services and strengthening continuity of care across the communities we serve.”

“This initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration in addressing some of the most pressing health care challenges facing rural communities,” said Maria Victoria Ferraris, Executive Director of the Global Mobile Healthcare Research Consortium. “By combining resources, expertise and community insight, we can expand access to essential maternal care and improve outcomes for families across Missouri.”

Aetna Better Health of Missouri remains committed to collaborating with local organizations to strengthen health care access where it is needed most.

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About Aetna Medicaid

Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC (Aetna Medicaid), a CVS Health company, has over 30 years of experience managing the care of Medicaid members, using innovative approaches and a local presence in each market to achieve both successful health care results and effective cost outcomes. Aetna Medicaid has expertise serving high-need Medicaid members, including those who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. Currently, Aetna Medicaid owns and/or administers Medicaid managed health care plans under the names of Aetna Better Health and other affiliate names. Together, these plans serve members in 15 states, including Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. For more information, see www.aetnabetterhealth.com. 

About CVS Health

CVS Health is a leading health solutions company simplifying health care one person, one family and one community at a time. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics and a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 88 million plan members. The Company also serves an estimated more than 37 million people through a broad range of health insurance products and related services. The Company’s integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.

About the Global Mobile Healthcare Research Consortium (GMHRC)

The Global Mobile Healthcare Research Consortium is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing mobile healthcare delivery through research, program design, and community partnership. Supported by Mission Mobile Medical, the GMHRC brings together clinical experts, researchers, and community health organizations to develop evidence-based mobile health programs that expand access to care in underserved and rural communities across the United States and globally.

Media contact

Monica Prinzing
Monica.Prinzing@CVSHealth.com

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2026 /3BL/ – Forty-seven percent of Americans are unfamiliar with grasslands—one of the nation’s most essential and most threatened ecosystems, according to new national survey findings released by the America’s Grasslands Coalition. However, after completing the survey, more than two-thirds ranked grasslands as one of the top three most important ecosystems. The America’s Grasslands Coalition sees this as a promising sign that increasing appreciation and awareness of America’s grasslands is the key to catalyzing conservation action. The results are part of a nationally representative survey conducted by GlobeScan during April 16-28, 2026, with a sample size of 2,014.

A foundation of biodiversity and rural livelihoods, grasslands play a vital role in supporting wildlife, storing carbon, sustaining food systems, and maintaining ecosystem balance. U.S. Grasslands, including savannahs and shrublands, currently cover nearly 1 million square miles. And yet they are disappearing at an alarming rate, with only about half of the country’s historic grasslands remaining. This decline threatens wildlife, rural economies, and climate resilience.

Key findings

• Awareness of grasslands remains low: Only 16% of surveyed Americans say they have a significant or a lot of knowledge about grasslands, while nearly half (47%) claim having little or no knowledge.
• Perceived importance rises with awareness: At the beginning of the survey, only 31% of respondents place grasslands among the top three most important ecosystems, which makes grasslands’ overall importance-ranking fall behind freshwater (69%), forests (61%), and oceans (45%). By the end, after learning more, 68% of respondents rank grasslands as one of the top three most important ecosystems.
• Need for conservation is underestimated: Only 24% of respondents identify grasslands as one of the top three most threatened, placing them near the bottom among all ecosystems.
• Strong support for conservation: 71% are likely to support grasslands conservation. 47% think the future of grasslands affects them personally and 58% believe their actions can make a difference in protecting grasslands.

“Grasslands are among America’s largest natural habitats, supporting wildlife, food systems, and communities across the country, but too few Americans realize how important they are,” said Martha Kauffman, vice president of WWF’s Great Plains Program. “The encouraging news is that people are ready to act once they make that connection.”

In response, leading conservation organizations have formed the America’s Grasslands Coalition, with 10 partners leading the US Grasslands Campaign to elevate grasslands as a national conservation priority. This public awareness campaign, with multiple waves during this summer and next year, aims to increase public understanding of grasslands and build nationwide support for their conservation.

“As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, this is a moment to recognize the landscapes that have shaped the nation,” said Ginette Hemley, senior vice president of wildlife conservation at WWF. “From iconic species like bison to the communities that depend on them, grasslands are part of that heritage—and protecting them is part of our shared future.”

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Additional Member Quotes:

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

“Grasslands are essential for all of us, from the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the wildlife we enjoy. Grasslands are part of the heart of our country and core to our lives. However, birds and other wildlife are declining at alarming rates and our rural communities are disappearing. This public campaign shows that when people understand grasslands, they value them—we now have an opportunity to translate that awareness into meaningful conservation action that supports cultures, livelihoods, wildlife, and people.” 

– Tammy VerCauteren, Executive Director, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

 

Borderlands Restoration Network

“Borderlands Restoration Network is thrilled to join the America’s Grasslands Coalition for the conservation of our beloved native grasslands. We protect and restore the binational, biologically significant Sky Islands region and reconnect communities to the land through shared learning. Here, our expansive native grasslands are fundamental, serving as the connective tissue of the region, allowing jaguars and black bears to move and thrive alongside hardworking rural communities.”

– Rodrigo Sierra Corona, Executive Director, Borderlands Restoration Network

 

Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance

“Grasslands are more than open spaces on a map. For many Native Nations, these landscapes are ancestral homelands that hold deep cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance. They are living, breathing, ecosystems that are intertwined with our cultures, histories, and ways of being. These survey results give me hope that, by raising awareness about grasslands, more people will be inspired to help and support conservation efforts that will ensure future generations can learn from and enjoy these landscapes as well.”

– Antonio ‘Tony’ Morsette (Citizen of the Chippewa Cree Tribe), Land Conservation Program Officer, Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance

 

Central Grasslands Roadmap Initiative

“This campaign reinforces what many of us working across North America’s grasslands have long understood: when people understand the importance of grasslands, they want to see them conserved. From supporting agricultural livelihoods and rural communities to sustaining wildlife and strengthening ecosystem resilience, grasslands deliver benefits that touch all of our lives. The US Grasslands campaign is helping build a broader constituency for these landscapes and creating momentum for the collaborative conservation action needed to secure their future.”

– Maggie Hanna, Director, Central Grasslands Roadmap Initiative with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

 

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

“Grasslands are home to some of the fastest-declining bird species in the United States. Increasing public awareness of grasslands is essential to mobilizing the science, policy, and conservation action needed to reverse these trends.”

– John Bowman, Director, Center for Conservation Media, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

 

National Audubon Society

“This survey sends a clear message: when people learn about grasslands, they recognize their importance for birds, people, and the planet. Now is the time to build on that awareness. Public understanding is the foundation for the policies, partnerships, and stewardship practices needed to conserve grasslands and support the wildlife and communities that depend on them.”

– Marshall Johnson, Chief Conservation Officer, National Audubon Society

 

National Wildlife Federation 

“Healthy grasslands are essential for wildlife and people alike, yet these vital ecosystems are disappearing at an alarming rate. The US Grasslands Campaign will serve a vital role in elevating the importance of grasslands and drawing attention to the need for increased investment in and conservation of these landscapes.”

– Aviva Glaser, senior director for agriculture policy, National Wildlife Federation

 

Southeastern Grasslands Institute

“The Southeast is home to some of the most biodiverse grasslands in the world, yet they have often been forgotten and are under-protected. This research highlights the power of awareness to drive conservation and the importance of recognizing grasslands in every region.”

– Dwayne Estes and Theo Witsell, co-founders, Southeastern Grasslands Institute

 

The Nature Conservancy

“Grasslands are at the core of America’s cultural identity and are home to iconic species of wildlife. But they are increasingly at risk. We must take bold steps to conserve and enhance our grasslands so that nature and people thrive.”

– Brian Obermeyer, Great Plains Grasslands Strategy Director, The Nature Conservancy

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About the survey
The survey was conducted by GlobeScan, an independent consultancy, during April 16-28, 2026. A total of 2,014 respondents were surveyed across the United States. The sample is nationally representative, with quotas aligned to U.S. population distributions by age, gender, education level, and state.

 

About the America’s Grasslands Coalition
The America’s Grasslands Coalition was established in 2023 as a collaboration to elevate the importance of grasslands. Ten organizations within the Coalition are leading the US Grasslands Campaign, supported by a broader network of members and partners aligned with this effort. The Coalition will continue to grow as additional organizations formally join and contribute resources to this work. Current organizations involved in the US Grasslands Campaign include:

• Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
• Borderlands Restoration Network
• Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance
• Central Grasslands Roadmap Initiative
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• National Audubon Society
• National Wildlife Federation
• Southeastern Grasslands Institute
• The Nature Conservancy

• World Wildlife Fund

   

Media contact:
Lorin Hancock

Lorin.Hancock@wwfus.org