The Nature Conservancy Selected for Freshwater and
Restoration Collaboration
OMAHA,
Neb., Nov. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Union
Pacific Railroad is adding Environmental Sustainability as a fourth
pillar for its Community Ties Giving Program, extending the
company's bold commitment to reducing the impacts of climate change
and building a more sustainable economy to its community
investments. The Nature Conservancy (TNC), a nonprofit dedicated to
conserving the lands and water on which life depends, has been
selected to help further the mission of the new pillar for the next
three years.
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"Adding Environmental Sustainability as a priority area for
Union Pacific's Community Ties Giving Program ties into our overall
ESG strategy," said Beth Whited,
executive vice president – Sustainability and Strategy and Chief
Human Resource Officer. "We are deeply committed to reducing our
impact on the environment through several internal and external
initiatives outlined in our Climate Action Plan. Extending this
commitment to our community investments will allow us to make an
even bigger impact in communities across our 23-state
footprint."
TNC was selected because its work aligns closely with the
railroad's goals and objectives, which are to: preserve and restore
nature; protect and enhance water or air quality; reduce waste;
develop environmental stewards; and advance a green economy.
Union Pacific will donate a total of $3
million across three TNC projects over the next three
years.
- Protecting and enhancing grassland within the upper Elkhorn
River watershed (Omaha, NE).
The project will help landowners who own marginal row crop acres
enroll in a long-term conservation program that involves restoring
those acres to grass and trees. This work will increase water
quality, capture carbon, reduce local flooding and reduce
downstream flooding.
- Rewilding the San Joaquin
Valley (Tulare County,
CA). The project will "rewild" former agricultural lands
that are coming out of production due to water scarcity by
restoring them to upland habitat for critically threatened and
endangered species. The work will also reduce overall water demand
and develop wildlife-friendly recharge basins that would improve
drinking water supplies for disadvantaged communities.
- Reconnecting Critical Landscapes for Watershed Health in
North Texas (Dallas, TX). The project will improve
watershed health, climate resilience and expand grasslands
restoration in the Upper Basin of the Trinity River, the watershed
of the fastest growing metroplex in the
United States. Bringing together multiple conservation
strategies and partners, this work will advance community
resilience, protect biodiversity, secure water supplies, and build
a more resilient future for people and nature across North Texas.
"The Nature Conservancy is deeply grateful for Union Pacific's
support in addressing the impacts of climate change," said
Suzanne Scott, Texas state director of The Nature
Conservancy. "From improving water quality and protecting key
places to creating more resilient communities, this collaboration
will help make a difference in Nebraska, California, and Texas. We're excited to work with Union
Pacific and demonstrate just how powerful nature can be as a
climate solution."
The other three pillars in Union Pacific's Community Ties Giving
Program are Safety, Workforce Development and Community Spaces.
Like these pillars, the company will offer local and regional
grants under the Environmental Sustainability pillar. More
information is available at UP.com/communityties.
ABOUT UNION PACIFIC
Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers
the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable
and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company
connects its customers and communities to the global economy.
Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move
freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More
information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com.
www.up.com
www.facebook.com/unionpacific
www.twitter.com/unionpacific
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SOURCE Union Pacific Railroad