Tag: 3BL

Cisco

Every day, thousands of data points are collected across our oceans — measuring temperature, salinity, carbon dioxide concentrations, and biodiversity. These insights are essential for understanding a changing climate. But collecting data is only the first step. The real challenge is transforming data into decisions — and decisions into meaningful, measurable actions.

That challenge came to life for my Cisco colleagues and I during our recent visit aboard the Malizia Explorer. We joined scientists, policymakers, and sustainability leaders to learn how Team Malizia combines offshore sailing, climate research, and education to better understand our planet.

Our conversations with Boris Herrmann and the Team Malizia crew reinforced a simple but powerful insight: technology creates its greatest value when it helps turn science into action. Whether at sea, in cities, or across industrial operations, trusted data becomes truly valuable when it enables better decisions.

Turning visibility into measurable impact

Organizations across industries are already using AI-driven observability to optimize operations while reducing their environmental footprint. For example, Cisco, Splunk, and our partner Computacenter help organizations consolidate operational and sustainability-related data across buildings, factories, and data centers into a single, vendor-agnostic view. By combining real-time telemetry with AI-powered analytics, organizations can identify inefficiencies, optimize energy consumption, and strengthen operational resilience simultaneously.

Take the example of Bosch Rexroth AG, where AI-driven observability is helping optimize operations at its model factory in Ulm, Germany while supporting measurable sustainability outcomes.

Bosch reported:

• 20–30% lower energy costs
• 10–15% lower energy consumption
• 25–30% lower greenhouse gas emissions

These outcomes illustrate how operational excellence and sustainability can reinforce one another. The same principles extend well beyond industrial environments. Together with WWF, Cisco and Splunk are exploring how AI can help combat wildlife poaching in Southeast Asia by analyzing environmental and operational data to identify potential hotspots and support more effective ranger patrols.

From data to decisions

At Cisco, we see this challenge with data across every industry. Whether the objective is protecting our oceans, reducing emissions, or making cities more energy-efficient, organizations increasingly depend on trusted digital infrastructure to transform data into meaningful solutions.

This journey starts with secure connectivity to collect data reliably. It continues with observability to understand what is happening in real-time. And it increasingly relies on artificial intelligence to identify patterns that humans alone cannot easily detect. In other words, meaningful sustainability efforts often begin with visibility — but they create lasting impact only when insights lead to action.

Why partnerships matter

No single organization can address today’s challenges alone. We need to gather the scientists who generate critical research, the technology companies that provide the secure digital infrastructure, the partners who implement solutions at scale, and the governments that create the framework for long-term transformation.

For Cisco, sustainability is not a standalone initiative. Technology has a critical role to play. Sustainability solutions depend on the same foundations as everything else that is digital: secure connectivity, responsible AI, cyber resilience, and trusted partnerships. That is why collaborations like Team Malizia matter — they bring together research, technology, and public engagement to translate complex climate data into actionable insights.

Looking ahead: A call for collaboration

One opportunity that excites me is the potential to deepen our collaboration with Team Malizia. Imagine scientific ocean data flowing securely from research vessels into AI-powered dashboards that help researchers, policymakers, educators, and businesses better understand our planet in near real-time.

While this vision requires continued collaboration, it illustrates what becomes possible when science, technology, and governments work together. The future of sustainability depends on our ability to connect people, technology, and ideas.

I would like to invite you to join this conversation: How is your organization using trusted data to help drive sustainability? Let’s connect and explore how we can turn insights into action together.

Learn more about how Cisco is harnessing innovation for business and sustainability goals on our environmental sustainability webpage.

With contributions from: Ewald Munz (Cisco), Frank Nebgen (Cisco), and Stefan Algermissen (Computacenter).

View original content here.

Verizon

By Daniel Patterson

At a glance

• Easier app building: Vibe coding uses natural-language prompts to help you build apps and other useful tools with AI, even if you don’t have a software development background.
• Where to begin: Start with a problem you understand, give AI a clear goal and be upfront about what you don’t know. Then test and refine your prompts as you go.
• Work more efficiently: Save processes that work so you can reuse them to tackle new challenges, automate repetitive tasks and spend more time on higher-value work.

What if the solution to an everyday problem could come from an app, but it didn’t take new software, a developer or a months-long project to develop that app? And what if it was something you could easily build yourself?

That’s the promise of vibe coding, an AI capability that allows you to create software using natural-language prompts: You describe what you want an app to look like and do, and AI helps write the logic, structure and user interface. From automating repetitive tasks to building simple AI tools that make a process easier, vibe coding can give people in all kinds of roles a new way to approach problems at work.

I discovered just how useful vibe coding could be after taking several AI courses offered to me—and all other Verizon employees—by Verizon and earning the Google AI for Professionals certificate. Those courses are now available for free to anyone via Verizon AI Skills for America.

I’m a principal managing sales engineer at Verizon, but I’m not a software developer. (In fact, 63% of vibe coding users identify as non-developers.) Though I studied web development, I haven’t actually coded since 2014. The training I took showed me that anyone can learn this skill. It introduced me to app scripting and vibe coding, and once I learned how to prompt AI effectively, I started experimenting with what I could build.

One of the first big problems I tackled was something our sales teams had struggled with for years: making our business communications platform easier for customers to visualize. In less than a week, I used vibe coding to build an interactive drag-and-drop tool that lets teams map a customer’s setup in real time. That tool has since been used by teams across Verizon, allowing me to reach a much broader audience and scale my impact.

Since then, I’ve kept experimenting with vibe coding for work and for my personal benefit. Here are some of the lessons I’ve learned about how to vibe code that can help you put the skill to work in your own job.

1. Start with a problem you want to solve

Look at your day-to-day and find something you think you could improve. It doesn’t need to be big—just something to get started with.

My first vibe coding project wasn’t the drag-and-drop tool. I do a lot of training and enablement, and I wanted something more engaging than another slideshow. I decided to see if I could create a Jeopardy-style training game. That gave me a low-stakes way to experiment. Once I saw what was possible, I started thinking about bigger problems I already understood—and that led me to create the sales tool.

What to keep in mind: You bring the subject-matter expertise. You know where the friction is and what a better outcome would look like. AI can help you explore how to get there.

Build your AI skills with free training from Verizon.
Learn More

2. Tell AI what you don’t know

One of the first things I had to learn was how to communicate with AI effectively. Being upfront about what I didn’t know actually made that easier. I would give the AI my end goal, explain what I wanted to build and what resources I had, and ask it to walk me through the process step by step.

Then I experimented. Vibe coding is a test-and-learn experience: Try something, see what happens, troubleshoot and refine your instructions. The more I did it, the better I became at communicating what I needed and knowing what to ask next.

What to keep in mind: If you can copy, paste and converse, you can win.

3. Save what works and refine your vibe coding process

As I got better at vibe coding, I realized I shouldn’t start over every time.

I began saving prompts that worked. I created a coding partner prompt, an instructional command you give to the AI to get it to act more like a collaborative programming partner, that establishes best practices for how I want it to work with me. I also built a branding prompt that provides the parameters I need to follow.

What to keep in mind: Don’t duplicate your efforts. When you find something that works, save it, refine it and use what you learned on the next problem.

4. Give yourself time back

Not every useful AI solution needs to be an app. Sometimes the best problem to solve is simply a time-sucking task.

I regularly create executive summaries that once required me to manually find numbers and compile information from reports. That could take an hour. Now I can use AI to help generate the summary in minutes, and then I only need to verify the numbers for accuracy.

The time I get back allows me to focus more on enablement—helping other people learn and succeed—which is the part of my job I’m most passionate about.

My best advice: After taking an AI course, make sure you do something with what you learned. You don’t have to be a developer to benefit from vibe coding. You just need to start looking at the problems around you and asking what you might be able to build.

Ready to build your AI skills? Verizon AI Skills for America offers free access to AI training, certificates and resources designed to help workers prepare for the evolving AI economy.

An individual user’s experience may vary, and results are not guaranteed.

What AI tools can I use for vibe coding?

A growing number of AI tools can help with vibe coding, including general-purpose AI assistants and dedicated AI coding platforms. Different tools offer different capabilities, so beginners should consider what they want to build, ease of use, cost and any workplace requirements before choosing one.

What can you use vibe coding for at work?

Vibe coding can help you build practical tools such as calculators, dashboards, training games, workflow automations and interactive prototypes that solve everyday problems or make tasks more efficient.

Is vibe coding safe to use at work?

Vibe coding can be useful at work, but employees should follow their organization’s policies for AI, data privacy and security. Avoid entering confidential or sensitive information into an AI tool unless it has been approved for that purpose, and always test and review AI-generated outputs before putting them to use.

The global push to reduce sugar consumption continues to grow as improving population health remains a priority for governments and public health organizations. Consumers are looking for products with less sugar that still deliver great taste, while governments are encouraging reformulation through nutrition policies, front-of-pack labeling, nutrient profiling, and, in some markets, fiscal measures.¹

For food producers, this creates both a challenge and an opportunity. Beyond sweetness, sugar plays an important role in flavor, texture, structure, processing, and shelf life. Successfully reducing sugar requires a balanced approach that maintains product quality while meeting nutrition priorities and consumer expectations. 

Why Sugar Reduction Matters 

Reducing sugar has become an important public health priority. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends reducing free sugars intake to less than 10% of total daily energy, however, we see many countries well surpassing this, with children in Portugal for example intaking nearly 25% on average.^2-4 High sugar consumption has been associated with an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and tooth decay.^2-4 

In response, health authorities around the world are encouraging lower sugar intake through dietary recommendations, front-of-pack nutrition labeling, reformulation initiatives, and, in some markets, fiscal measures. These actions aim to create healthier food environments and support consumers in making healthier choices. 

At the same time, consumers are looking for products that help them reduce sugar without compromising on taste. Since taste remains the primary driver of food choice, successful sugar reduction must preserve the flavor and eating experience consumers expect. 

This creates an opportunity for food manufacturers to develop products that balance nutrition, functionality, and great taste. As a result, sugar reduction continues to be an important driver of innovation across the food industry. 

The Hidden Complexity Behind Sugar Reduction 

Sugar plays many roles beyond sweetness. In sauces and dressings, it helps balance acidity, reduce bitterness, soften the perception of heat, and create a more rounded flavor profile. Sugar also contributes to product performance by influencing texture, viscosity, and overall mouthfeel. 

When sugar is reduced or removed, these sensory and functional attributes can change significantly. A sauce may taste more acidic, a dressing may feel thinner, or flavor notes that were previously balanced may become more pronounced. As a result, simply replacing sweetness is often not enough to deliver the same consumer experience. 

Manufacturers must also consider additional factors during reformulation. Regulatory requirements vary across regions, ingredient availability may differ by market, and companies must manage cost targets while meeting consumer preferences for recognizable ingredients and clean-label solutions. At the same time, retail customers and consumers are increasingly looking for products that support healthier lifestyles without compromising the taste they love. 

Successfully reducing sugar therefore requires a broader view of product development—one that preserves flavor, functionality, and consumer satisfaction while addressing evolving nutritional expectations. 

Delivering Flavor with Less Sugar 

Successful sugar reduction is not simply about removing sugar—it is about creating products that continue to deliver great taste. Sweetness alone does not guarantee success. Flavor perception is influenced by a complex interaction between taste, aroma, texture, and mouthfeel. This is why a holistic approach to sugar reduction is essential. 

Key strategies for achieving this include: 

• Gradual sugar reduction: One effective strategy is gradual sugar reduction, where sweetness is reduced in small steps over time rather than through a sudden reformulation. This allows consumers to adapt to lower sweetness levels while preserving the familiar flavor profile they associate with their favorite products. By making changes progressively, manufacturers can reduce the risk of consumer rejection and maintain product acceptance. 
• Partial or complete sugar replacement systems: Depending on the application, manufacturers may also use partial or complete sugar replacement systems designed to deliver sweetness while supporting product functionality. 
• Flavor modulation technologies: Flavor modulation technologies can enhance sweetness perception and reduce off-notes associated with sweetener systems. 
• Flavor balance opportunities: Rebalancing acid, salt, and spice levels can further optimize flavor and create a more satisfying sensory experience. Finally, sensory validation ensures that changes resonate with consumers and support product acceptance. 

These approaches may also create opportunities to improve the overall nutritional profile. By reducing added sugar and carefully selecting beneficial ingredients, manufacturers can develop more nutrient-dense products.   

At Griffith Foods, we combine flavor expertise, sensory science, culinary insight, and technical knowledge to help customers navigate the complexities of sugar reduction. Our approach focuses on delivering solutions via our Craveable Impact™ innovation platform, meeting consumer expectations while supporting  nutrition goals. 

Ultimately, reducing sugar does not have to mean sacrificing enjoyment. With the right combination of flavor strategies, ingredient technologies, and sensory expertise, manufacturers can create food products that support healthier choices while continuing to deliver the eating experiences consumers value. 

What’s Next? 

As consumer expectations continue to evolve, continued progress in sugar-reduction will depend on strong partnerships, ingredient innovation, and a continued focus on delivering nutrient-dense products while addressing reformulation challenges. 

Aligned with our 2030 Aspiration to develop a Nutritious and Sustainable Portfolio, our teams explore innovative ingredients and processes that help our customers create great-tasting food with higher nutrient density, aligning with evolving nutrition and sustainability priorities. 

Griffith Foods helps customers develop nutrient-dense, consumer-loved food solutions by combining our Griffith Foods – Global Nutrition Criteria, rigorous nutrition science, and culinary expertise into products that elevate nutrition without sacrificing flavor. 

Contact us at Griffith Foods – Contact Us to learn more about how we can support you on your journey of delivering great flavor whilst reducing sugar in your products. 

View original content here.

About Griffith Foods

Griffith Foods is a global product development partner helping food companies meet the evolving needs of consumers with high-quality, culinary driven, customized products. Founded in 1919 and headquartered in Alsip, Illinois, USA, Griffith Foods is a family-owned business known for collaborative innovation guided by its purpose to “Blend Care and Creativity to Nourish the World.” Operating in over 40 countries across six continents, Griffith Foods employs more than 5,000 people, including over 40 chefs and 340 food scientists, who work together to create solutions that nourish people, planet, and communities. The company’s product capabilities include seasonings, sauces, dressings, coating systems, and alternative protein solutions. Griffith Foods’ primary areas of focus include Foodservice, Food Manufacturers, Protein Processors, and Retail.

References: 

¹Third meeting of the WHO European Region Sugar and Calorie Reduction Network: London, United Kingdom, 26–27 March 2025, meeting report. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2026. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. 

²Guideline: Sugars intake for adults and children. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2015 

³Walton, J., Bell, H. C., Re, R., & Nugent, A. (2021). Current perspectives on global sugar consumption: definitions, recommendations, population intakes, challenges and future direction. Nutrition Research Reviews, 36, 1 – 22. https://doi.org/10.1017/s095442242100024x 

⁴Huang, Y., Chen, Z., Chen, B., Li, J., Yuan, X., Li, J., Wang, W., Dai, T., Chen, H.-Y., Wang, Y., Wang, R., Wang, P., Guo, J., Dong, Q., Liu, C., Wei, Q., Cao, D., & Liu, L. (2023). Dietary sugar consumption and health: umbrella review. The BMJ, 381. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2022-071609 

 

Leidos Australia is proud to announce that its Mission Equipment Service Centre (MESC) has been recognised as MRO Business of the Year at the 2026 Australian Aviation Awards.

The award highlights the critical role the MESC plays in supporting the availability, reliability and performance of airborne mission systems used in national security, emergency response and defence operations across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Based in Cairns, the Mission Equipment Service Centre is a unique sovereign capability, delivering advanced maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for complex mission and surveillance systems installed on specialised aircraft. Over many years, the facility has grown into a leading centre of technical excellence, providing customers with responsive support and reducing reliance on overseas repair facilities.

As the only facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, the MESC provides sovereign support for radar, electro-optical, avionics and integrated mission systems, helping customers maximise aircraft availability and mission readiness while maintaining critical capabilities within Australia.

Supporting organisations including the Australian Border Force, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Defence, State Police and Fire Services, alongside international customers such as the Indonesian Navy, Singapore Ministry of Defence and Royal New Zealand Air Force, the MESC has established a reputation for technical excellence and responsive customer support.

The centre is CASA Part 145 certified, operates to ISO 9001 and AS9110 quality standards, is an OEM-authorised L3Harris WESCAM service centre and a Raytheon SeaVue Surveillance Radar Intermediate Level Maintenance facility.

Beyond maintenance and repair services, the MESC delivers a comprehensive sustainment capability, supporting research and development, fleet modifications, system upgrades, obsolescence management, flight testing and remote technical support. This end-to-end approach enables customers to sustain and evolve complex mission systems throughout their operational life.

Recent projects have further demonstrated the depth of expertise within the team and its ability to solve complex technical challenges. The MESC recently expanded its sovereign capability through several significant achievements, including entry into the US Navy’s Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) program following endorsement by L3Harris WESCAM.

The team also developed an innovative in-house repair solution for Auxiliary Fuel Probes on the Dash 8 fleet after the original manufacturer deemed the components irreparable. By engineering a local repair capability, the team restored critical aircraft capability at a fraction of the cost and time of external repair, returning 11 fuel probes to service in less than one week rather than the several months typically required through traditional repair pathways.

The MESC’s commitment to continuous improvement is reflected in its operational performance. In 2025, the team achieved an average repair turnaround time of just 15 days, well below its internal 30-day target and significantly faster than the industry norm of approximately 90 days. The facility also recorded zero early field failures, zero foreign object debris (FOD) detections, zero maintenance errors and zero negative customer feedback, demonstrating exceptional quality and reliability.

Leidos Australia’s Vice President Airborne Solutions, Adrian Pettifor, said the award recognises the expertise, innovation and dedication of the people behind the capability.

“This recognition is a credit to our Mission Equipment Service Centre team, whose technical expertise, commitment to innovation and customer focus continue to set the benchmark for mission systems sustainment.”

“Every day they support the systems that enable critical surveillance, emergency response and national security operations. Their work strengthens Australia’s sovereign aerospace capability while delivering exceptional outcomes for our customers.”

The recognition also reflects the strong partnerships the MESC has built across industry. L3Harris WESCAM has described the facility as “a benchmark of excellence in the MRO sector,” recognising not only its technical capability but also its culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

While the award recognises outstanding performance over the past year, it also highlights the growing importance of sovereign mission systems sustainment capabilities in supporting customers operating in demanding and often mission-critical environments.

Leidos Australia congratulates all finalists and winners recognised at this year’s Australian Aviation Awards and thanks its customers, partners and suppliers for their continued trust and collaboration.

Most importantly, this recognition reflects the dedication, expertise and professionalism of the Mission Equipment Service Centre team, whose work continues to support critical aviation operations across Australia and the region.

Author
Australian Media Relations
Stephen Browning, Corporate Affairs Director, stephen.browning@leidos.com

EL CERRITO, Calif., October 7, 2026 /3BL/ – Net Impact, the nation’s largest and longest-running network of globally connected and locally activated students and professionals bringing analytical and strategic thinking to drive impact, today announced the launch of the Impact Career Fellows, a new recognition and mentorship opportunity designed to support the next generation of impact-oriented business leaders. This year, two emerging leaders will receive direct access to expert mentorship, professional development resources, and Net Impact’s community of impact-driven alumni and professionals.

The Impact Career Fellows program was created to address a critical need: each year, approximately 10,000 students graduate from Net Impact’s chapters across the world, many of them ready to launch careers at the intersection of business and social or environmental impact. The Fellows program identifies two standout individuals annually who demonstrate a proven leadership track record, a clear commitment to sustainable business, and strong potential for long-term impact — and gives them the tools, relationships, and support to accelerate that impact early in their careers.

“Purpose-driven students looking for roles are needed across sectors. What often makes the difference between potential and real impact is having someone in their corner,” reflected Net Impact’s CEO, Karen Johns. “That’s exactly what the Impact Career Fellows program offers. We’re proud to give these two emerging leaders the mentorship, resources, and community they need to lead boldly.” 

Program Benefits

Selected Fellows receive a comprehensive package of support, including:

• Two 1:1 informational-interview-style calls with a rotating “Expert in Residence.” For the Fall 2026 cohort, the Expert in Residence is Dave Stangis, Partner at Apollo and a veteran sustainability and ESG executive. The Expert in Residence role will rotate, connecting each new class of Fellows with a different field leader.
• A $200 professional development stipend to support career-building activities such as certifications, conferences, or coursework.
• One year of membership in Net Impact’s Professional Impact Network, providing ongoing access to Net Impact’s community of alumni and professional members.
• Access to exclusive events throughout the fellowship year, connecting Fellows with peers and leaders across the impact space.

Meet the 2026 Impact Career Fellows

Elan Trager is a 2026 Graduate in Data Science & Environmental Economics and Policy Major from the University of California, Berkeley. He served as President of the Net Impact Berkeley Undergraduate Chapter, leading corporate sustainability consulting projects for medium- and large-scale enterprises. Driven by the need to mitigate the climate crisis, Elan will begin his career as an incoming Research Fellow at Evolved Energy Research, where he will conduct energy decarbonization analysis that balances pressing present needs with future ones.

Maggie Dunn is a sustainability leader with an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, where she graduated in 2026 with concentrations in environment and strategy and a passion for advancing business solutions at the intersection of water and biodiversity. As Co-President of Net Impact and former Director of Fuqua’s Sustainable Business and Social Impact (SBSI) event—the largest student-run sustainability conference in the Southeast—she convened cross-sector stakeholders and drove impactful conversations on sustainable business practices. Maggie is now at PepsiCo on the newly formed dairy team within procurement, where she leads sustainability for dairy and supplier relations. Before this role, she helped redesign supplier sustainability data systems and integrate Pep+ metrics to improve ESG visibility for decision-makers. 

About Net Impact

Net Impact is one of the largest and oldest global member organizations focused on business as a force for good. By encouraging local action and global connection, Net Impact engages over 50,000 students and professionals annually. With more than 250 chapters in over 40 countries, our members bring analytical and strategic thinking across diverse industries, including business, sustainability, and social impact. Net Impact engages its global chapter community in experiential education-focused programming, convenings, and civic and community engagement projects. Visit www.netimpact.org.

Media Contact:
Hilary Manzo 
Associate Director, Programs 
hmanzo@netimpact.org

Originally published on CVS Health Company Newsroom

Simple steps can help college students build lasting health and financial independence.

The first weeks of college can be a defining test of a student’s independence.

For many young adults, it is the first time they are responsible for managing prescriptions, finding care, budgeting for everyday needs and creating routines without a parent’s day-to-day oversight.

That transition is about more than arriving with the right supplies. It is an opportunity to practice small decisions that can shape health and financial habits well beyond the semester. Families can help by shifting the conversation from what students need to pack to how they will recognize a need, make a plan and follow through.

Five practical steps can help students build greater confidence and independence around their health.

1. Make medication management a life skill

For students who take prescription medications, the goal is not simply to send enough medicine to campus. They should understand what they take, when a refill is due, whom to contact with questions and what to do if plans change. Before the semester becomes busy, families can review refill timing, insurance information and pharmacy options with the student, then let the student lead the next refill. Digital tools can reinforce that independence by helping users track eligible prescriptions, request refills and receive status updates. Students using CVS Pharmacy® can transfer prescriptions online and manage eligible prescriptions through the CVS Health® app — giving them a convenient way to take greater ownership of routine pharmacy needs.

2. Create a care map before it is needed

Before students arrive on campus, families can help identify nearby health care resources. Whether it’s a campus health center, local pharmacy, walk-in clinic or virtual care option, knowing where to turn for care can save time and reduce stress. MinuteClinic® offers in-person care at select CVS Pharmacy locations as well as virtual care options, with availability and services varying by location.

3. Build routines that are easy to maintain

Busy schedules can make healthy habits difficult to sustain. Rather than trying to change everything at once, students can build simple routines around sleep, balanced meals and physical activity that fit naturally into their class and work schedules. Consistent, manageable habits can help support energy, focus and overall well-being throughout the school year.

4. Keep everyday health essentials on hand

Dorms, classrooms and other shared spaces can make it easier for illnesses to spread. Students can prepare for predictable needs by keeping a basic supply of over-the-counter medicines, tissues, hand sanitizer and personal care products on hand — and by knowing when a concern requires advice from a pharmacist or another health care provider. A little advance planning can make it easier to respond to minor illnesses and other everyday needs.

5. Plan ahead for health and wellness expenses

Personal care products, wellness essentials and prescription needs can become recurring expenses throughout the school year. Building those purchases into a budget early can help students avoid unexpected costs as the year progresses. Savings programs such as CVS ExtraCare® can also help students make their budgets go further on everyday purchases.

“For students managing more on their own every day, ExtraCare can make savings easy,” says Hannah Roshetko Raser, AVP of Front Store Strategy & Transformation, CVS Health. “Many students head to campus still using their parents’ ExtraCare number. Creating their own account is a small step, but it means their experience reflects what they buy and they get a clear picture of their savings.”

CVS ExtraCare® members can access deals, rewards and savings opportunities through the CVS Health® app. The app also allows students to manage eligible prescriptions, bringing pharmacy tools and savings together in one place.

Greater independence starts with knowing how to manage everyday health needs. When students know how to manage medications, find care, anticipate everyday needs and make informed spending decisions, they are building skills that can support their health and independence well beyond the school year.

 

LINCOLN, Neb., October 6, 2026 /3BL/ – The Arbor Day Foundation is marking Green Sports Day by celebrating the professional sports leagues, teams and brands advancing environmental sustainability goals by planting trees.

Green Sports Day, organized by the Green Sports Alliance, is an international awareness day observed each Oct. 6 that celebrates the positive impact sports can have on people and the planet. The Foundation has a growing roster of sports-related initiatives prioritizing tree planting tied to leagues, teams, tournaments and brands across the sports and outdoors space.

“These collaborations exist because sports have a unique ability to rally fans and communities around a shared cause and trees are one of the simplest tools to make our world healthier that everyone can agree on,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Green Sports Day is a good moment to celebrate that work, but our partners in this space are funding trees year-round, and it’s one of the fastest-growing parts of what we do.”

Examples of that ongoing work include:

NBA: Since 2014, the National Basketball Association has teamed up with the Foundation each April to activate its “Threes for Trees” program, planting three trees for every three-pointer made during games surrounding Arbor Day. This effort is part of NBA Green, the league’s environmental sustainability platform dedicated to reducing the NBA’s environmental impacts and inspiring fans, teams and partners to take meaningful climate action.

FedEx: FedEx and the Arbor Day Foundation have worked together on community tree-planting and habitat projects through charitable grants and employee volunteering since 2014. This fall, FedEx has committed to funding the planting of 500 trees on farmland near Versailles, France, through FedEx Cares, and 10 additional trees for every birdie scored on the par-3 16th hole during the FedEx Open de France championship week, to be allocated to support wildfire reforestation efforts in France. A similar scoring incentive in 2025 resulted in FedEx funding 1,400 trees based on 36 eagles recorded during tournament play.

Boulevard Brewing Co.: Boulevard funds 420 trees for every home run hit 420 feet at Kaufman Stadium, the home of the Kansas City Royals, or farther throughout the Major League Baseball season, part of a commitment to plant 30,000 trees over two years in U.S. forestlands.

FIFA: The Foundation teamed up with FIFA to support reforestation and community tree planting projects in all 16 FIFA World Cup 2026™ host cities, delivering long-term environmental benefits across the tournament’s three host nations — Canada, Mexico and the United States. Through the partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, FIFA supported work totaling the planting of approximately 1 million trees at reforestation sites across North American forests, while adding more than 12,000 trees in parks, school campuses, trail systems and other public gathering spaces across the 16 host city community plantings.

Organizations interested in exploring a sports-related tree planting work with the Arbor Day Foundation can learn more at arborday.org/corporate-partnerships.

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.  

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

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LINCOLN, Neb., October 6, 2026 /3BL/ – The Arbor Day Foundation is marking Green Sports Day by celebrating the professional sports leagues, teams and brands advancing environmental sustainability goals by planting trees.

Green Sports Day, organized by the Green Sports Alliance, is an international awareness day observed each Oct. 6 that celebrates the positive impact sports can have on people and the planet. The Foundation has a growing roster of sports-related initiatives prioritizing tree planting tied to leagues, teams, tournaments and brands across the sports and outdoors space.

“These collaborations exist because sports have a unique ability to rally fans and communities around a shared cause and trees are one of the simplest tools to make our world healthier that everyone can agree on,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Green Sports Day is a good moment to celebrate that work, but our partners in this space are funding trees year-round, and it’s one of the fastest-growing parts of what we do.”

Examples of that ongoing work include:

NBA: Since 2014, the National Basketball Association has teamed up with the Foundation each April to activate its “Threes for Trees” program, planting three trees for every three-pointer made during games surrounding Arbor Day. This effort is part of NBA Green, the league’s environmental sustainability platform dedicated to reducing the NBA’s environmental impacts and inspiring fans, teams and partners to take meaningful climate action.

FedEx: FedEx and the Arbor Day Foundation have worked together on community tree-planting and habitat projects through charitable grants and employee volunteering since 2014. This fall, FedEx has committed to funding the planting of 500 trees on farmland near Versailles, France, through FedEx Cares, and 10 additional trees for every birdie scored on the par-3 16th hole during the FedEx Open de France championship week, to be allocated to support wildfire reforestation efforts in France. A similar scoring incentive in 2025 resulted in FedEx funding 1,400 trees based on 36 eagles recorded during tournament play.

Boulevard Brewing Co.: Boulevard funds 420 trees for every home run hit 420 feet at Kaufman Stadium, the home of the Kansas City Royals, or farther throughout the Major League Baseball season, part of a commitment to plant 30,000 trees over two years in U.S. forestlands.

FIFA: The Foundation teamed up with FIFA to support reforestation and community tree planting projects in all 16 FIFA World Cup 2026™ host cities, delivering long-term environmental benefits across the tournament’s three host nations — Canada, Mexico and the United States. Through the partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, FIFA supported work totaling the planting of approximately 1 million trees at reforestation sites across North American forests, while adding more than 12,000 trees in parks, school campuses, trail systems and other public gathering spaces across the 16 host city community plantings.

Organizations interested in exploring a sports-related tree planting work with the Arbor Day Foundation can learn more at arborday.org/corporate-partnerships.

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.  

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

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LINCOLN, Neb., October 6, 2026 /3BL/ – The Arbor Day Foundation is marking Green Sports Day by celebrating the professional sports leagues, teams and brands advancing environmental sustainability goals by planting trees.

Green Sports Day, organized by the Green Sports Alliance, is an international awareness day observed each Oct. 6 that celebrates the positive impact sports can have on people and the planet. The Foundation has a growing roster of sports-related initiatives prioritizing tree planting tied to leagues, teams, tournaments and brands across the sports and outdoors space.

“These collaborations exist because sports have a unique ability to rally fans and communities around a shared cause and trees are one of the simplest tools to make our world healthier that everyone can agree on,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Green Sports Day is a good moment to celebrate that work, but our partners in this space are funding trees year-round, and it’s one of the fastest-growing parts of what we do.”

Examples of that ongoing work include:

NBA: Since 2014, the National Basketball Association has teamed up with the Foundation each April to activate its “Threes for Trees” program, planting three trees for every three-pointer made during games surrounding Arbor Day. This effort is part of NBA Green, the league’s environmental sustainability platform dedicated to reducing the NBA’s environmental impacts and inspiring fans, teams and partners to take meaningful climate action.

FedEx: FedEx and the Arbor Day Foundation have worked together on community tree-planting and habitat projects through charitable grants and employee volunteering since 2014. This fall, FedEx has committed to funding the planting of 500 trees on farmland near Versailles, France, through FedEx Cares, and 10 additional trees for every birdie scored on the par-3 16th hole during the FedEx Open de France championship week, to be allocated to support wildfire reforestation efforts in France. A similar scoring incentive in 2025 resulted in FedEx funding 1,400 trees based on 36 eagles recorded during tournament play.

Boulevard Brewing Co.: Boulevard funds 420 trees for every home run hit 420 feet at Kaufman Stadium, the home of the Kansas City Royals, or farther throughout the Major League Baseball season, part of a commitment to plant 30,000 trees over two years in U.S. forestlands.

FIFA: The Foundation teamed up with FIFA to support reforestation and community tree planting projects in all 16 FIFA World Cup 2026™ host cities, delivering long-term environmental benefits across the tournament’s three host nations — Canada, Mexico and the United States. Through the partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, FIFA supported work totaling the planting of approximately 1 million trees at reforestation sites across North American forests, while adding more than 12,000 trees in parks, school campuses, trail systems and other public gathering spaces across the 16 host city community plantings.

Organizations interested in exploring a sports-related tree planting work with the Arbor Day Foundation can learn more at arborday.org/corporate-partnerships.

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.  

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

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Las Vegas Sands

In late July, Marina Bay Sands announced a donation of more than $1.1 million over three years to the Mandai Wildlife Centre, Singapore’s newest rehabilitation facility for rescued native wildlife.

The donation is one of Marina Bay Sands’ largest contributions to biodiversity conservation, reflecting the depth of its commitment to protecting wildlife and strengthening ecosystem resilience as part of its broader sustainability goals.

Operated by Mandai Nature, the nonprofit conservation arm of Mandai Wildlife Group, the center provides a purpose-built environment to improve outcomes for Singapore’s rescued native wildlife and supports research and knowledge-building in veterinary and wildlife care.

Over the next three years, Marina Bay Sands also will work with Mandai Nature to extend nature education beyond the center by developing bespoke experiences and learning opportunities for international guests and community partners to deepen their awareness of wildlife conservation and the importance of protecting biodiversity in urban environments.

“We are delighted to support partners such as Mandai Nature in protecting Singapore’s native biodiversity,” Meridith Beaujean, assistant vice president of sustainability and ESG at Marina Bay Sands, said. “As a world-leading hospitality destination, we depend on healthy environments and vibrant biodiversity to create places that people value and want to experience. Supporting the center aligns with our belief that long-term destination success and wildlife conservation are closely linked, and that the hospitality sector has a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to both.”

Marina Bay Sands’ contribution to the Mandai Wildlife Centre is the latest example of the many partnerships Sands and its regions have cultivated to advance sustainability on its properties, and promote conservation and education in its regions. The Sands ECO360 global sustainability team spearheads these relationships to address environmental topics such as emissions-reduction, water stewardship, waste reduction, incorporation of sustainable materials and resources, and biodiversity protection.

Amplifying Sustainability Through Multidisciplinary Approaches

Earlier this summer, Marina Bay Sands announced a two-year partnership with the SG Eco Fund to raise awareness and galvanize community action on environmental sustainability and climate resilience in Singapore. The partners kicked off the first initiative on June 11 with an exclusive screening of trailers that are part of the Sustainable Futures Film Festival running through Aug. 31 at ArtScience Museum.

The curated program of films explores climate change and biodiversity conservation in line with Singapore’s Year of Climate Adaptation, which draws attention to the impacts of climate change and brings together multidisciplinary approaches and voices at the intersection of art, science and sustainability.

The launch event also featured complimentary booths for recipients of the SG Eco Fund – Witteveen+Bos, Pasarfish and PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency. These organizations showcased climate adaptation projects focused on food resilience and flood and coastal protection in Singapore. Launched in 2020, the $39 million SG Eco Fund operated by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment supports ground-up projects that involve the community and advance environmental sustainability in Singapore.

The two-year partnership between Marina Bay Sands and SG Eco Fund also will include interactive exhibitions centered on biodiversity and sustainability themes at ArtScience Museum. As part of these exhibitions, the resort will collaborate with SG Eco Fund grant recipients to incorporate booth, art installations, learning tours, and hands-on sustainability workshops for students and the wider public.

Partnerships to Advance Conservation through Responsible Hospitality

Marina Bay Sands also has had a long-standing partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore since 2015. What began with strengthening responsible seafood sourcing has evolved into broader initiative to drive transformation and positive outcomes throughout Marina Bay Sands’ supply chain. This effort includes traceability studies and aquaculture and fishery improvement projects across the region.

The resort currently is working with the nonprofit to explore the hospitality industry’s relationship to supply chain deforestation. The program has included a comprehensive deforestation and conversion risk assessment across Marina Bay Sands’ supply chain, focusing on high-risk commodities such as palm oil, cocoa, coffee, beef, soy, paper and timber.

Risk assessment involved reviewing procurement data; engaging suppliers to better understand sourcing practices, certifications and traceability; and establishing a baseline of potential risks and opportunities. Guided by global frameworks and best practices, the engagement focused on strengthening supply chain transparency, raising awareness of deforestation risks, and encouraging suppliers to explore pathways that reduce deforestation and promote conversion-free sourcing.

In addition, Marina Bay Sands began work with conservation nonprofit Hutan on its initiative to restore wildlife corridors across palm oil monoculture landscapes in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, last year. Hutan’s reforestation program aims to revive habitats for endangered species.

As part of this initiative, Marina Bay Sands provided yearlong underwriting for the work of four indigenous Orang Sungei women whose salaries, benefits and operational costs were funded as part of Hutan’s reforestation team. The approach enabled continued advancement of ecosystem restoration while empowering women through sustainable income opportunities and underpins the integrated resort’s regenerative approach to hospitality.

The Drop By Drop Project

One of Sands’ longest-standing sustainability partnerships is with The WASH Foundation on The Drop By Drop Project, which provides grants for innovative water stewardship programs in Macao and Singapore to increase water resiliency, reinvigorate ecosystems, incubate new water solutions and engage the community in these areas.

The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) is the program’s current grantee in Macao. USJ’s Drop By Drop funding is supporting its Sponge City Macao project, which explores how mangrove restoration and sponge city principles can work together to create a sustainable urban water management framework for Macao. Blending research with hands-on community engagement, the project aims to boost flood resilience, improve stormwater retention and support long-term ecological balance in the city’s urban environments.

To support the greater region in and around Singapore, The Drop By Drop Project is funding two programs. Reef Check Malaysia received funding for its Mabul Clean Water Initiative, which enables safe, sustainable water access through rainwater harvesting systems for 100 low-income households on Mabul Island, Sabah. The program is designed to end dependence on costly imported water.

The Drop By Drop Project also is supporting The International SeaKeepers Society’s Orang Seletar Sungai Temon Project, which provides resources for the indigenous Orang Seletar community in its efforts to rebuild a storm-damaged community hall and undertake water quality monitoring to address declining mussel yields. Together, these phases work toward protecting the community’s cultural heritage, building local stewardship and strengthening long-term economic resilience.

Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition

Sands China has been a member of the Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition (HKSSC), which advances the sustainable seafood market in Hong Kong, Macao and the wider region through responsible sourcing practices. Most recently, Sands China supported HKSSC’s outreach efforts around World Oceans Day on June 8 by providing specially curated sustainable seafood dishes in four Sands China restaurants. Marina Bay Sands’ also supported HKSSC’s World Ocean’s Day awareness program at its signature buffet restaurant, RISE.

“We’ve aligned with these leading environmental organizations because we are committed to advancing sustainability in all aspects of our business and in our regions,” Katarina Tesarova, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer, said. “Our partners help us be a better environmental steward, while we help our partners deepen their impact and advance their missions. Our relationships have been mutually beneficial, with the ultimate goal of finding new and better ways to protect the environmental ecosystems and natural resources in our regions.”

To learn more about Sands ECO360 environmental initiatives, read Sands’ latest ESG report: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/.