New York, NY December 18, 2003 – National Audubon Society today announced that more than $2 million was pledged by the Monsanto Fund, Monsanto Company’s philanthropic arm, to support waterbird research on agricultural lands. The three-year grant is being awarded to identify and research farming practices that will improve environmental health and wildlife habitat, by focusing on waterbirds, water quality, and the health of aquatic ecosystems.
“Birds – especially waterbirds – are environmental barometers,” said National Audubon Vice President and Chief Scientist Frank Gill. “The Monsanto Fund’s generous award will help us to learn how to measure agricultural impacts on these birds. This important project will show us how agriculture can produce food and fiber for our society while improving the quality of our water, wetlands, and wildlife habitats.”
Farmlands dominate many American landscapes. At its best, agriculture can provide not only sustenance for people, but also productive habitat for birds and wildlife. With emerging technologies and increasing expertise available, there are expanding opportunities for farmers to adopt practices improving the health of ecosystems without decreasing the productivity of their agricultural enterprises. This project will help realize this important goal.
“We are delighted to be partnering with the National Audubon Society through this award,” said President of the Monsanto Fund Deborah Patterson. “The Monsanto Fund is proud to embrace the Audubon Society’s conservation efforts and commitment to environmental education, as they track closely with our own. The Monsanto Fund is dedicated to the conservation of natural areas so that they will continue to be available to our generation and those to come.”
Since established in 1964, the Monsanto Fund’s philanthropic goal has been to improve people’s lives by bridging the gap between their needs and their resources. The organizations and programs Monsanto Fund supports are as varied as the places around the globe where we do business. Monsanto Fund’s contributions fall into four main areas: agricultural abundance, the environment, science education, and the communities where our people live and work.
