06 Chevron Conservation Awards, Kiwi Heroes Wanted

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2006 Chevron Conservation Awards – Kiwi Heroes Wanted

AUCKLAND, May 11, 2006 – New Zealanders are invited to participate in a worldwide search for pioneering environmental initiatives and the heroes behind them.

Nominations are now being sought for the Chevron Conservation Awards, one of the world’s oldest private conservation award programmes, judged annually by a panel of independent conservationists. The programme, sponsored by Caltex New Zealand’s parent company, recognises outstanding contributions to the conservation of natural resources and offers volunteers, conservation professionals and non-profit organisations alike the opportunity to receive US$15,000 (NZ$23,845) towards their conservation work.

Originally created by the late American writer Ed Zern in 1954, the programme has recognised more than 1,000 conservationists. Recent award winners have been engaged in diverse areas of conservation – from ensuring the survival of wild seahorses, to protecting the world’s largest Orangutan population in Indonesia, to providing solar power for health clinics and schools in Africa.

“New Zealanders are world leaders in conservation, and it would be tremendous to see a New Zealander or a New Zealand organisation recognised on the global stage. I know many of our initiatives are world class and it would be fantastic for those behind them to get a US$15,000 boost to their work,” said Nick Hannan, Caltex New Zealand Country Chairman and General Manager Marketing.

Jack Lorenz, co-founder of the Wildlife Habitat Council and Award programme judge, said: “The awards demonstrate the value of partnership. An important factor in evaluating Conservation Award nominees is their ability to work effectively with diverse organizations to achieve consensus and meet environmental challenges in practical ways.”

Anyone is eligible to nominate an individual or organisation before the May 31, 2006, deadline. Nomination forms are available at www.chevron.com/conservationawards/.

Chevron is committed to contributing to the social and economic development of the communities in which the company operates. In 2005, Chevron invested $73 million in community initiatives around the world, nearly 65 percent of which was directed toward long-term, capacity-building projects.

ENDS

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