BNSF celebrates National Wildlife Day with longstanding conservation partnership
In the vast, awe-inspiring expanse of the ocean, an important relationship exists between two majestic creatures – the mighty killer whales and their primary prey, the Chinook salmon. As efforts to conserve these magnificent orcas are ongoing, it’s crucial to understand the delicate balance of their survival, which rests heavily on the dwindling Chinook salmon populations.
By helping to replenish this vital food source, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) strives to not only nurture the very essence of the orcas' existence, but also foster a healthier marine ecosystem.
As we approach National Wildlife Day, September 4, BNSF is proud to celebrate its nine-year partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) – a relationship that has fostered hope and preservation for precious wildlife such as orcas. We acknowledge the importance of safeguarding the diverse ecosystems in our nation on this important day.
Throughout the years, our commitment to environmental conservation has been evident through our support of the NFWF. For our most recent gift, on behalf of BNSF team members, the BNSF Railway Foundation contributed $300,000 to the NFWF. Combined with our previous donations, our total contributions have amounted to $2.3 million over nine years.
This investment supported 56 community-based conservation projects in the Great-Plains, Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, Chicago region and California. These projects protect and restore wildlife and their habitats, promote job creation, improve water quality for residents and contribute to local cultural and economic goals.
Our most recent donation supports multiple other new vital conservation projects for the NFWF:
Desert Tortoise Recovery Partnership: A restoration project focused on habitat improvement for the Mojave desert tortoises in Western Mojave Recovery Unit focal areas.
Killer Whale Research and Conservation Fund: Promotes the conservation of the Puget Sound and the Southern Resident killer whale population by providing a free high-quality environmental education program for K-8th grade students and their families.
Chi-Cal Rivers Fund: This public-private partnership is dedicated to restoring the Chicago and Calumet waterways to their former health and vitality achieved by supporting the implementation of green stormwater infrastructure, habitat enhancement and public-use improvements.
“BNSF’s partnership with NFWF has generated significant benefits for wildlife and local communities,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO, NFWF. “With support from BNSF Railway, we have been able to leverage additional resources to maximize our on-the-ground impact. By working together, we are achieving conservation outcomes far greater than we could achieve alone.”
As we celebrate National Wildlife Day, we’re reminded of the remarkable impact our partnership with the NFWF has had on wildlife conservation. We remain committed to sustainability, environmental stewardship and the preservation of our nation’s wildlife.
About NFWF
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) protects and restores our nation’s fish and wildlife and their habitats. Created by Congress in 1984, NFWF directs public conservation dollars to the most pressing environmental needs and matches those investments with private funds.
Over the last nine years, the BNSF Railway Foundation has invested $2.3 million to support 56 community-based wildlife conservation projects throughout our network.
