Walmart and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced a 10-year, $34.5 million renewal of the historic Acres for America conservation program. This new commitment from Walmart, combined with previous contributions, represents the largest corporate donation to NFWF since the Foundation’s creation by Congress in 1984, totaling more than $100 million since the program began.
Acres for America began in 2005, when Walmart US made its first commitment of $34.5 million to NFWF to fund the conservation of one acre of wildlife habitat for every acre of developed land in the United States, which was estimated to be approximately 138,000 in that moment. Over its 20-year history, Acres for America has far exceeded that goal, with more than 2 million acres of protected wildlife habitat, an area larger in size than the combined land area of Rhode Island and Delaware.
Acres for America has supported projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. These landscape-scale projects have benefited countless wildlife species, conserved natural habitats vital to community resilience and quality of life, and opened new lands to public recreation.
Through voluntary conservation easements and acquisitions that connect already protected lands, such as national parks and state wildlife areas, Acres for America has helped conserve a much larger area: more than 10 million acres.
“Acres for America was a simple idea at first, a way for Walmart to participate in the preservation of key natural habitats across the United States,” said Hunter Hart, senior vice president of Walmart Realty. “What we have achieved since then has far exceeded what was originally imagined, and we are excited to continue this commitment and work together with NFWF.”
“Walmart’s sustained commitment to conservation is as inspiring as it is significant,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. “The company has helped bring more than 125 projects to life from Maine to California and everywhere in between. Thousands of species of our native wildlife depend on the habitats protected and connected by Acres for America projects. “This focus on conserving America’s best places is significant and will benefit our wildlife and local communities for generations to come.”
The program is competitive in nature. concession process Each year, the program identifies the highest quality projects from across the United States. To date, the program has leveraged Walmart’s more than $70 million in philanthropic investment with significant federal, state and local community funding from other entities to generate more than $1.2 million in matching contributions.
This year’s awards include:
- The southern tip of Topsail Island off Shoreline Drive, North Carolina, will be protected and 100 acres of barrier island will be preserved. The project will protect sand dunes, maritime shrub forest and more than a mile and a half of shoreline that provide habitat for several federally listed species, including sea turtles and sand plovers. Additionally, the project will ensure permanent public access for the local community.
- In the northwest corner of Rhode Island, a 930-acre acquisition will add to the Buck Hill and George Washington management areas, and by connecting these existing lands already under protection, will form a protected landscape of more than 7,000 acres of corridor of wildlife.
- On a working ranch in Nevada, 21,449 acres of wildlife habitat will be placed under a conservation easement to protect sagebrush steppes, wet prairies and native grassland habitats essential for mule deer, elk and pronghorn. This easement will also ensure public access for activities such as hunting, hiking, fishing and bird watching.
- In the Rangeley Lakes region of Maine, a 13,836-acre forest conservation easement will provide habitat for large mammals such as elk and deer, the Canada lynx (a federally threatened species), and two globally rare songbirds, and will protect 31 miles of streams and ponds, providing important habitat for landlocked brook trout and salmon. The easement will also provide public access for hiking, fishing and hunting, and includes more than 25 miles of snowmobile and ATV trails.
- In South Carolina’s forested landscape, a large-scale conservation easement will protect regionally important bottomland forests and wetlands that support numerous migratory birds and aquatic species, secure local water supplies, and create additional public recreation opportunities.
- Along the floodplains of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers in Illinois and Missouri, 3,200 acres of floodplain habitat will be protected. The project will allow for future restoration of the ecosystem to create important wetland habitat, including critical stopover habitat for waterfowl along the Mississippi Flyway.
- Adjacent to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in California, 3,000 acres will be conserved through land acquisition. The project will protect some of the most important habitat for the world-famous McCloud River steelhead and support Indigenous-led endangered salmon conservation.
Starting this year, Walmart will also expand the partnership with Acres for America to include its Ozark Trail outdoor brand. As a brand dedicated to providing customers with quality, affordable products to get out and enjoy nature regardless of budget, the missions of Ozark Trail and Acres for America are closely aligned.
Visit the Acres for America program page For more information about this program, see This year’s grant list, and look at a short video commemorating 20 years of conservation through Acres for America.
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) is a technology-driven, people-led omnichannel retailer that helps people save money and live better, anytime, anywhere, in stores, online and across their devices. mobiles. Every week, approximately 255 million customers and members visit more than 10,500 stores and numerous e-commerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal 2024 revenue of $648 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunities. You can find additional information about Walmart by visiting corporativo.walmart.comon Facebook at facebook.com/walmartin X (formerly known as Twitter) in twitter.com/walmartand on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/empresa/walmart.
About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) protects and restores the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Created by Congress in 1984, NFWF directs public conservation funds to the most pressing environmental needs and matches those investments with private contributions. NFWF works with government, nonprofit, and corporate partners to find solutions to the toughest conservation challenges. Through science-based conservation and competitive grant programs, over the past 40 years NFWF has funded more than 6,800 organizations and generated a total conservation impact of more than $10 billion. NFWF is an equal opportunity provider. Get more information at es.nfwf.org.