Nissan Donates $1 Million to Support New Environmental Program with WWF

College students from around the country will study conservation in Washington, D.C. and South Africa under a new $1 million partnership between Nissan North America (NNA) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Entitled the Nissan-WWF Environmental Leadership Program, it will provide student leaders the opportunity to examine environmental issues and will also support WWF field conservation projects in the United States and South Africa.

Students at select colleges and universities are invited to apply for the program, which includes a $5,000 award, participation in an environmental summit in Washington, D.C. and an all-expenses-paid trip to Pilanesberg National Park in South Africa, to work with conservation scientists.

“This new partnership allows Nissan to extend its environmental commitment beyond managing emissions and developing clean technologies,” said Jim Morton, senior vice president of administration and finance for NNA. “We’re happy to support WWF and its global conservation efforts, as well as to further students’ understanding of the environment and what we all can do to protect it.”

Fifteen students will be selected to participate in the Nissan-WWF Environmental Leadership Program based on their demonstrated leadership, academic achievement and commitment to the environment. In addition to the $5,000 award, each chosen environmental student leader will be invited to participate in a four-day summit in the nation’s capital to learn about conservation, clean technologies and legislation surrounding environmental issues. Following the summit, the students will take a two-week field trip to South Africa’s Pilanesberg National Park where they will work hands-on assisting conservation scientists with the Earthwatch Institute and enjoy scenic safaris and cultural events.

“Working with major businesses such as Nissan must play a major role in keeping conservation relevant to future generations,” said Carter S. Roberts, president and CEO of World Wildlife Fund. “We’re excited about this unique opportunity to share WWF’s passion for nature with tomorrow’s leaders at an early stage in their careers. We look forward to seeing this group of students make real contributions to conservation.”

As part of its $1 million grant, Nissan has earmarked $100,000 to support other WWF programs, including conservation work in Southern Africa and the Southeastern United States. This includes work in Southern Africa’s Namib-Karoo area, which is plagued by poor land management and ongoing wildlife destruction. In the United States, it will support WWF’s Southeastern Rivers and Streams Support Fund, which awards grants for grassroots projects to clean up polluted watersheds in Tennessee and Alabama.

For more information about WWF and Nissan’s global environmental efforts, visit www.wwf.org and www.nissan-global.com.