Tag: 3BL

SAIC has a long history of delivering innovative solutions to our customers, creating a career-destination workplace for employees, being a good steward of the environment, and doing it all with an unwavering commitment to the right thing.   

We deliver on these elements through our exceptional workforce. As we seek to advance the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world, a critical part of our business strategy is attracting, continually developing and retaining top talent — advancing new engineering, science and IT solutions cannot happen without it. To deliver these solutions and bring value to shareholders, customers and employees, we provide meaningful work and purpose, as we:

Develop solutions for our customers’ most challenging problemsDeliver value to our business through meaningful diversity, equity and inclusion effortsNurture people throughout the talent lifecycle through upskilling and job rotation to improve retention and fill critical skill gapsCreate a culture of empowerment where people can be their authentic selves and do their best work for our customersProvide benefits and programs that enhance employees’ experiences and their well-being

Creating a Culture of Exceptional Value

Our vision for diversity, equity and inclusion at SAIC is straightforward:

We commit to creating a workplace where we value, respect and empower everyone to reach their full potential.We foster a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion that celebrates our differences and promotes collaboration, innovation and growth. We strive to create leadership teams that reflect the diversity of the teams they lead and that reflect the diversity of the customers they serve.We work every day to be a company that is diverse, inclusive and a leader in promoting the business value of DE&I in our industry and beyond.

Why It Matters

At SAIC, we know diverse teams deliver better solutions to our customers toughest problems. We also know that when employees see a reflection of themselves in their leadership, and our customers see a reflection of themselves in our workforce, we are more likely to attract and retain the top talent we need to deliver on our commitments.  

To this end, our focus in FY24 was employee engagement, employee development and talent acquisition.

In FY21, we set goals to achieve parity in the representation of women and people of color between leader and non-leader roles by the end of FY26.  In FY23, we achieved our parity goal for women in leadership, and in FY24, we sustained it at 28%. In FY24, we continued our progress improving parity for people of color in leadership by 2% for a total of 25% of leaders being people of color. Also notable from FY24, based on our population of full-time, non-executive employees, our gender pay gap continues to be approximately 1% for the compensation of women relative to men.

We are committed to filling every role within SAIC with the most qualified candidates. We develop a diverse leadership team from our existing workforce by fostering diverse candidate slates for leadership roles; ensuring our job descriptions, recruiting tools and processes help eliminate the potential for bias; and providing training, educational resources and leadership development programs for all our employees, including our AcceleratHER Women’s Leadership Academy, Leadership 365 for Aspiring Leaders, Developing Frontline Leaders, McKinsey Leadership Essentials, Management Accelerator and Executive Leadership Program and Connected Leaders academy for Asian, Black, Hispanic and Latino cohorts. 

To ensure equitable access to opportunities, we train leadership, hiring managers and recruiters on the benefits of improved parity and inclusion; we use diverse talent communities and sourcing tools; and we leverage our advertising and marketing efforts to make sure we reach a diverse pool of candidates. Through these efforts, women make up 32% and people of color make up 57% of our job candidates. 

Our Employee Resource Groups are the cornerstone of our employee engagement initiatives. To date, just under 13% of our workforce belongs to one of the seven affinity groups, providing opportunity, content, engagement and resources specifically focused on the unique needs of their membership. All employees are welcome to join any of these employee-led organizations where allyship is fostered and encouraged.  

At SAIC, we believe small and diverse businesses are essential for maintaining a robust, dynamic contractor ecosystem, and play an integral role in the types of supply chain efforts required to meet the unique needs of our government customers. We work to expand our partnerships with diverse small businesses and suppliers, hosting outreach sessions, and mentoring and providing contract opportunities to those that drive innovation. The company’s small business outreach program tracks its’ spend with small business diverse-owned suppliers in several categories such as Disadvantaged, Women-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned, HUBZone, Alaskan Native Corporations and Indian Tribes. In FY24, we spent over $420 million with these small, diverse-owned businesses. 

SAIC + DIVERSITY

We create a culture where everyone has opportunity and can thrive in an environment where they can be their authentic selves. Third parties consistently acknowledge SAIC’s inclusive workforce:

Forbes list of 500 Best Employers for DiversityForbes America’s Best Employers for Women 2024LATINA Style’s Top 50 Best Companies for LatinasNewsweek America’s Greatest Workplaces for DiversityNewsweek America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women 2024Fair360 Noteworthy Companies for 2024

Learn more about SAIC’s commitments in the SAIC’s 2024 Corporate Responsibility Report.

Our Scotts brand has kicked off a multi-year partnership with Every Kid Sports, a national nonprofit organization, to financially support income-restricted families by funding youth sports registration fees through The Every Kid Sports Pass, with the goal to provide expanded access to natural green spaces.

“Scotts believes in the power of the outdoors and connecting kids and their families to green spaces to play, thrive, learn and grow and we’ve been dedicated to this mission for more than a decade,” John Sass, Vice President, Chief Creative Officer of ScottsMiracle-Gro, says. “We’re proud to be partnering with Every Kid Sports to help more kids enjoy youth sports because we are all mentally, physically and emotionally stronger when we are able to get outdoors and enjoy natural green spaces.”

Scotts will award a grant totaling at least $150K by 2026 to fund registration fees for approximately 800 kids in areas including Columbus, Phoenix, and Philadelphia.

To bring this partnership to life and celebrate the joy of getting outside and playing on natural grass, Scotts recently hosted a Soccer Field Day in Columbus, Ohio. Scotts, alongside athletes from the Columbus Crew, hosted Every Kids Sports families for a soccer clinic which helped more than 60 kids get outside and get active with Crew 2 players.

The event took place on the natural turf field at McFerson Commons, as a part of the Columbus Crew’s Summer of Soccer Fan Fest.

Let’s get outside, play and GroMoreGood, together.

About ScottsMiracle-Gro
With approximately $3.6 billion in sales, the Company is the world’s largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company’s brands are among the most recognized in the industry. The Company’s Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, The Hawthorne Gardening Company, is a leading provider of nutrients, lighting, and other materials used in the indoor and hydroponic growing segment. For additional information, visit us at www.scottsmiraclegro.com. 

View original content here.

The production line for the new electric compact wheel loader was inaugurated at the CNH plant in Lecce, Italy.

The model, conceived and designed in the Puglia plant’s R&D centre, will be produced in CASE and New Holland liveries with the 12EV and W40X models respectively. From here, it will reach markets around the world, meeting the growing need for sustainable, zero-emission machinery in the construction and agricultural sectors.

The new model completes the company’s range of compact electric vehicles, which already includes the two mini electric excavators produced in Cesena. CNH is responding to the rapidly growing demand for alternative powertrains, driven by the requirements of sectors such as agriculture and livestock farming, in search of high-performance yet silent and zero-emission machines that can operate safely indoors and near animals.

The new electric compact wheel loader, which has been successfully presented at major international trade fairs such as ConEXPO in Las Vegas and Agritechnica in Hanover, offers significant advantages in terms of low noise and zero emissions. These characteristics make it particularly suitable for operating in closed environments, where CO2 emissions are not permitted, on night-time construction sites and in all applications that are sensitive to noise pollution. Furthermore, this type of machine guarantees high performance and lower operating costs than diesel-powered vehicles.

Ciro Casapulla, Head of Construction Product Development, explained the new electric model in detail, emphasising how innovation has always been made in Lecce, and how this, in the case of electrification, entails a paradigm shift: “We have not just replaced the diesel engine with batteries. We have completely revised the design, also drawing on technologies and calculation techniques typical of the aerospace sector. Firstly, by lightening the weight, removing it where it wasn’t needed, in a reasoned and calibrated way to increase performance and preserve the machine’s autonomy.”

The new electric model has a range of three to six hours depending on the type of application. Recharging can be done with the domestic power socket with the standard 230V on-board charger or with the optional fast charger, which can recharge the 23-kWh lithium-ion battery from 20% to 80% in just 1 hour, the duration of a lunch break, thus enabling continuous use throughout the working day. 

The new electric compact wheel loader, 100% Made in Italy, highlights CNH’s commitment to investing in technologies for the development of alternative and sustainable propulsion, while reaffirming the strategic centrality of the Lecce plant in the company’s production landscape.

In this four-part series, learn how our diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) volunteer community impacts culture, career, company and community. Be sure to check out parts one, two and three of the series, Empowering Inclusion Through Culture, Empowering Inclusion Through Career and Empowering Inclusion Through Our Company if you missed them.

At Motorola Solutions, we’re passionate about giving back to the places where we live and work. Our business councils support charitable organizations that align with their missions, philanthropic passions and our company’s geographic footprint, enabling employees to extend inclusion efforts beyond our four walls.

Here are some highlights from spring:

Our People with Disabilities + Allies (PwD+A) business council has a long-standing partnership with Little City Foundation in Palatine, Illinois, a nonprofit that provides a home for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through projects like Little City Path Clean-ups – a project to make walking paths accessible for all – and Little City Field Days – where Motorolans engage Little City residents in sensory stations, arts, crafts and more – our PwD+A business council supports our local community.Our Pride Business Council recently partnered with Motorola Solutions Foundation’s grant partner and Canadian nonprofit Out on Patrol for an educational discussion on representation in law enforcement, reflecting our commitment to service, community engagement and social impact.Our Motorola Solutions Asian and Pacific Islander (MAPI) business council organized a volunteering event with Feed My Starving Children, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing children with nutritious meals, helping to drive positive social impact in communities where we operate.

Motorola Solutions is dedicated to creating a workplace where every employee feels valued and empowered. Through our impact on culture, career, company and community, we build a strong foundation for an inclusive and innovative future. Read more about our impact in our 2023 DEI Annual Report!

A fuzzy blue mascot in the shape of a water droplet greets the kids as they come off the bus, high fiving each one in welcome.

The kids—all Grade 5 students from southwest Illinois/St. Louis Metro East—are excited about a day of hands-on learning on the beautiful campus of Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, IL.

As they step off the bus, they hit the ground running, guided to station after station for a day packed with activities. Each one is designed to help them develop ecological literacy and connect with a different aspect of water education—science, research, preservation, usage, consumption, conservation, safety, and recreation.

“A lot of our stations try to show students the land-water connection,” says Jen Mandeville, the organizer of the annual Water Festival for fifth graders. “We want them to realize that what we do on land affects our water.”

Mandeville is the Director of Environmental Education at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC), an East Alton, IL-based research center dedicated to the study of great river systems and the communities that use them. In the state of Illinois, the Grade 5 science curriculum has a heavy water focus, she explains, adding that the festival’s activities are designed to meet—and often surpass—curricular requirements.

Since 2002, NGRREC has organized the annual festival in partnership with the college, helping thousands of kids expand their knowledge about water. In 2023, more than 900 students from 36 classes in five counties attended. The 2024 event, scheduled for Sept. 27, is expected to be even larger.

In preparation for the big day, teachers are invited to attend a free professional development workshop to help them develop classroom activities and worksheets to supplement what the students will learn at the event.

The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center’s Jerry F. Costello Field Station is located near the confluence of two of America’s great rivers—the Missouri and the Mississippi. Taking care of the rivers is integral to the well-being of the Riverbend community.

“We want every kid to go home with a new connection to water and a new appreciation for the water resources in the state of Illinois,” Mandeville adds.

Enbridge is proud to be supporting the 2024 Water Festival with a $10,000 Fueling Futures grant, awarded to the Lewis and Clark Community College Foundation. The event’s focus on environmental education aligns with our commitment to strengthening the sustainability of communities near our operations.

Protecting the watershed in and around Godfrey helps not only the village and its citizens, but also every community and landscape those great rivers flow through.

On the day of Water Festival, each of the 40 stations on offer is led by community members—non-profit organizations, government departments, scientists and businesses.

At one station, kids might learn about the impact of salts on root systems. At another, they’ll explore groundwater through an experiment with shave ice. One exhibitor plays a water cycle game with kids every year, to demonstrate that water is finite.

“A lot of students are floored when they learn that the water we drink today might have been inside a dinosaur’s body,” Mandeville says.

She recalls one student from a few years back who had an “aha!” moment at Water Festival.

“(The girl) became fired up,” Mandeville remembers. “She felt empowered to have her community take action, so she sponsored community cleanups and led weekly trash walks in her neighborhood.”

Reflecting on this student, Mandeville observes that what the little girl experienced is exactly what they hope for all students at Water Festival.

“We believe as educators that when people experience a natural resource, they’re so much more compelled to protect it or at least help it stay healthy and available for future generations. Those moments have an impact,” she says.

“After Water Festival, students now have a story and a reason to be connected to our rivers.”

Mickey’s Popcorn, a Memphis-local business established in 2020 by Kenny and Dr. Penny Mickey, stands out not only for its gourmet popcorn but also for its significant impact on the community. Kenny, known as the “master crafter,” brings a wealth of experience in food manufacturing and logistics from his tenure with companies like Cargill and FedEx. Meanwhile, Dr. Penny, with her background in executive leadership in education and government, leads Mickey’s Popcorn with strategic vision. FedEx became acquainted with Dr. Penny through her participation in the Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF) FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab, an initiative to help small businesses expand in E-commerce.

Functioning as a social enterprise, The Gradus Project, Mickey’s nonprofit that functions alongside the business, plays a critical role in providing transitional employment opportunities for various underserved communities, including domestic violence survivors, autistic individuals, and opportunity youth. Dr. Penny recently spearheaded the inaugural ‘On and Poppin Teen Camp’ in collaboration with food scientist Ali Manning, supported by FedEx Cares. This initiative welcomed high school students from Youth Villages in Memphis for an immersive entrepreneurial experience.

Throughout the camp, students engaged in hands-on activities, learning about everything from the ins and outs of corn harvesting to the processes of product packaging and shipping at FedEx facilities. Under Ali Manning’s guidance, known from her role on Netflix’s “Snack vs. Chef,” participants explored potential career paths in agriculture and culinary arts. They then were given the opportunity to craft their own unique popcorn flavors, from “hot bacon and cheese” to “sour strawberry” and “birthday cake surprise” (I am still not sure what the ‘surprise’ was; the flavors were interesting to say the least), each packaged with creative labels designed by the kids themselves.

A highlight of the week was a session led by Brock Carlson, an HR manager from FedEx Logistics, who shared insights on networking and career development. The culmination of the camp saw teams pitching their popcorn creations to a panel of esteemed judges (one of them being myself, a FedEx intern) competing for a $1,000 prize. The winning team, ‘hot bacon and cheese’, captured the win in a tight race against ‘lemon cake surprise’(a mixture of sour cream & chives and lemon pound cake: it somehow worked).

The success of this inaugural camp went beyond entrepreneurial skills; it fostered confidence and professional exposure among the teen participants. Engaging directly with professionals like Ali, Dr. Penny, Kenny, and Brock Carlson, the students gained invaluable insights and mentorship. Looking ahead, Mickey’s Popcorn aims to expand this initiative, potentially enabling future winners to brand and sell their creations, further empowering Memphis youth to shape their futures through entrepreneurship.

In essence, Mickey’s Popcorn exemplifies how a small business can profoundly influence young lives in its community, equipping them with both practical skills and inspirational role models. As they continue to grow and innovate, Mickey’s Popcorn remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for the next generation of Memphis leaders.

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

by Jonathan Abe and Martha Buckley of Sunwealth

The US EIA forecasts a 75% increase in solar generation from 2023 to 2025. As the solar industry races to address climate change and meet escalating demand from electrification and data centers, there lies a valuable opportunity to simultaneously address socioeconomic inequalities across the nation.

At Sunwealth, we challenge ourselves to ask: Who is benefiting from the growth of the solar economy? What other community needs could this opportunity meet? Who else can be included? How can we scale the solar economy while uncompromisingly pursuing justice? By persistently posing these questions and staying vigilant to potential gaps, we identified a critical financing void in the solar industry and founded Sunwealth to finance and manage small to medium-sized projects in the built environment, particularly in traditionally underserved areas.

By partnering with local solar installers and mission-aligned investors, we’re funding a variety of crucial projects and we’re pioneering a better energy future. Founded in 2014, Sunwealth has invested over $200 million in more than 650 operational solar installations across 18 states, reducing 1.2 million metric tons in carbon emissions and generating $125 million in lifetime energy savings for our customers. 57% of these projects directly benefit low-to-moderate income communities, ensuring that the advantages of clean energy reach those who need it most. Together, we’re empowering communities, boosting local economies, and leading the way toward a more sustainable and just energy landscape.

Read the informative article here – https://greenmoney.com/the-intersectional-opportunity-of-solar-addressing-climate-and-inequality

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DES MOINES, Iowa, September 3, 2024 /3BL/ – Principal Financial Group® and Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa (GSGI) announced a collaboration today unveiling two initiatives designed to empower young women and enhance community involvement: Girl Scout Takeover Day and the DataSetGold program.

Girl Scout Takeover Day at Principal

Principal will host a Takeover Day set to inspire and engage girls in grades 6-12 with a variety of enriching activities on Friday, September 27, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Principal world headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. This collaboration with GSGI is open to Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors as well as young women in grades 6-12. The event will feature:

Girl Scout Alumni Panel: Hear from former Girl Scouts who have achieved remarkable success in their careers.New York Children’s Film Festival Screening: Watch thought-provoking films that spark creativity and discussion.Community Action Session: Learn how you can make a positive impact in your community.Community Service Project: Engage in hands-on activities that can benefit local organizations.Career Panel: Discover diverse career opportunities and pathways from industry professionals.

Introducing DataSetGold

DataSetGold is a new program designed by Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa and Principal to provide high school aged Girl Scouts with crucial data science and financial literacy skills while pursuing their Gold Award. The Gold Award is the most prestigious award in Girl Scouting, awarded to those who develop and carry out lasting solutions to issues in their neighborhoods and beyond.

The Girl Scout DataSetGold program incorporates interactive digital curriculum from DataSetGo. This first-of-its-kind programming was developed by Principal® Foundation and EVERFI for high school students in the U.S. and is designed to empower youth with the knowledge of data science fundamentals and its value in the job market.

The DataSetGold program includes:

DataSetGo Digital Education Program: Two online courses—Data Science Foundations and Data Science Exploration: Financial Wellness—teach the essentials of data science and its application in the finance sector.Take Action Plan: Apply newly acquired skills to address a community issue, with the possibility of using the project for a Gold Award proposal.Rewards and Recognition: Participants will earn $200 in start-up funds for their Gold Award project, a custom patch, and additional incentives.

DataSetGold offers flexibility with online completion options and four in-person workshops, featuring networking opportunities and detailed Gold Award information.

A Shared Vision

“Principal is proud to support initiatives that helps prepare the next generation for success in an increasingly digital and data-driven world,” said Jo Christine Miles, director, Principal® Foundation and Community Relations. “We aim to provide young women with the tools and knowledge they need to excel in both their personal and professional lives.”

“Our collaboration with Principal reflects a shared commitment to empowering young women with the skills and confidence they need to succeed,” said Beth Shelton, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa. “Girl Scout Takeover Day and DataSetGold are both designed to inspire and equip our members to become leaders in their communities and beyond.”

For more information about Girl Scout Takeover Day and DataSetGold, and to register, please visit Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa.

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About Principal Financial Group®    

Principal Financial Group® (Nasdaq: PFG) is a global financial company with 20,000 employees1 passionate about improving the wealth and well-being of people and businesses. In business for 145 years, we’re helping more than 64 million customers1 plan, protect, invest, and retire, while working to support the communities where we do business, and build a diverse, inclusive workforce. Principal® is proud to be recognized as one of the 2024 World’s Most Ethical Companies2, a member of the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, and named as a “Best Places to Work in Money Management3.” Learn more about Principal and our commitment to sustainability, inclusion, and purpose at principal.com.  

Principal community relations supports the communities where affiliates of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392 operates. Insurance products and plan administrative services provided through Principal Life Insurance Company®, a member of the Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, IA 50392.

3816700-082024

1 As of June 30, 2024   
2 Ethisphere, 2024    
3 Pensions & Investments, 2023  

About Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa

We are Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa. We’re more than 13,000 girls and adults from Central/Western Iowa, NE Nebraska and SE South Dakota who believe every girl can change the world.

Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscoutsiowa.org. 

EMERYVILLE, Calif., September 3, 2024 /3BL/ – SCS Global Services, an international leader in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development now celebrating its 40th anniversary, is pleased to announce the promotion of three outstanding members of its staff to C-Suite positions.

Diana Kirsanova Phillips has been named Chief of Staff to the CEO and Chief Assurance Officer.Stowe Beam has been named Chief People Officer.Scott Harlow has been named Chief Information Officer.

“Each of these individuals has had an enormous impact on the health and growth of SCS over the past several years,” said Matthew Rudolf, President and Chief Executive Officer of SCS. “I am excited for them to serve on our newly formed Executive Leadership team.”

Kirsanova Phillips earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics and Intercultural Communications, followed up by a Master of Business Administration degree. Joining SCS in 2010, she designed and implemented the corporate Quality Management System across more than 100+ programs and services, and oversaw numerous accreditation activities, stimulating rapid growth across the board, from food and agriculture to natural resource extraction to consumer and commercial product manufacturing. As Vice President, Assurance and Enablement, she has overseen development of the company’s risk management mechanisms, providing strategic support for program development and implementation to ensure SCS’ credibility in the marketplace.

Beam, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis on sustainability, worked as a field biology educator before joining SCS in 2006. Over the past two decades, he had a direct hand in building the company’s broad range of environmental certification services, and for the past six years, has served as Vice President of Human Resources, supporting of the growth of the company’s global team.

Harlow, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology and Assurance, is a seasoned IT professional with a track record of leadership over two decades. His broad background ranges from the founding and operation of a small start-up to heading up large global IT teams for publicly traded companies. Since joining SCS in 2022, he has spearheaded comprehensive, company-wide IT initiatives aimed at expanding capabilities, improving cybersecurity protocols, and better servicing company in-house teams and clients alike.

“Together with Scott Romito, who continues in his role as Chief Financial Officer, Diana, Stowe and Scott will play a pivotal role in the company’s next chapter,” said Rudolf.

About SCS Global Services

SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, energy production, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California and celebrating 40 years in business, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. For more information, visit http://www.scsglobalservices.com.

Media Contact:

Tom Ehart

Sr. Director, Corporate Marketing

tehart@scsglobalservices.com

Originally published in International Paper’s 2023 Sustainability Report

In 2023, the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) honored International Paper with a Leadership in Sustainability Award for Resilient U.S. Forests. The award recognized our innovative approach to promoting forest bird awareness and conservation within the forest product supply chain in partnership with the American Bird Conservancy (ABC). This multi-year partnership aims to integrate bird conservation into our procurement operations and value chain and provide a measurable contribution towards reversing the decline of forest birds.

One of the significant outcomes of this partnership is targeted work with an iconic bird species in the Southeastern U.S.: the Swallow-tailed Kite (STKI). STKIs are one of North America’s most beautiful birds of prey, with distinctive black and white plumage and a long, forked tail. They are also long-distance migrants that spend their spring and summer months in the Southeastern forests of the U.S. and then migrate to their wintering grounds in South America.

Since 2021, working with the Avian Research and Conservation Institute, nine STKIs have been trapped and fitted with radio transmitters near International Paper mills in South Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana. This year alone, five STKIs have received transmitters. These transmitters allow us and our conservation partners to follow the STKIs’ movements across the landscape so we can further understand their specific habitat needs. Additionally, we can enter that data into our ForSiteTM mapping system to target conservation efforts and outreach in the most strategic areas.

This past year, the transmitters allowed researchers to document the amazing journey made by one of the male STKIs captured in Georgia, named Barrington. The bird’s migration started on the Altamaha River, where it led the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to a pre-migration roost of over 600 STKIs — the first of its kind outside of Florida. The trackers then followed Barrington for four months on a long and winding journey over the Gulf of Mexico, including a 48-hour stretch over water, before continuing through South America into Bolivia and central Brazil — a truly incredible flight.

Forest certification

Forest certification underpins our commitment to sustainable forest management. Our procurement systems and mills are certified to the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification™ (PEFC™) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) chain of custody standards and the SFI Fiber sourcing standard.

To meet the growing customer demand for certified products, our internal FSC forest management group, Certified Forest Management (CFM) LLC, helps small, private landowners become FSC-certified cost-effectively. It has become the largest privately run group of certified landowners in the U.S.

Since 2012, CFM has enrolled and maintained FSC forest management certification for:

920,769 acres in 607 properties across 11 states

Read more

About International Paper

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

About International Paper – EMEA

In Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), International Paper focuses on the production and marketing of fiber-based packaging and specialty pulp, employing approximately 4,400 people. As a leading supplier of high-quality corrugated containers for a multitude of applications, we serve customers throughout the region from our network of two recycled containerboard mills and 23 box plants in France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Specialty pulp is made in Gdansk, Poland. Other products available from International Paper in the region include a variety of Kraft linerboard and other pulp products.