The Ford Motor Group which is the parent company for brand names like Lincoln, Land Rover, and BMW is the world's second largest car manufacturer. How big? Well try counting the zeroes in the U.S. $165,000,000,000 in revenue that Ford raked in last year most of which came from their flashy and environmentally unfriendly SUVs like the best selling Ford Explorer, Lincoln Navigator, Ford Expedition, and the Classic Range Rover. And so since they Themselves aren't doing it, 20 years ago Ford instituted a conservation and environmental grants scheme for projects dedicated to the conservation of the environment and culture.
20 years later it has expanded to 60 countries including Belize. Two grants were awarded last year and in 2004 Ford is looking to give out another U.S. $10,000 in grants. The project's regional manager for Central America Steve Randall launched the project this morning at the Radisson.
Steve Randall, Ford Motor Co.
“They are programs that are designed to help communities and individuals get involved in conservation projects throughout the country.”
“It is the second edition here in Belize and we have been doing it twenty years worldwide.”
Q: _So right now you are asking people to submit projects?
Steve Randall, Ford Motor Co.
“Yes submit their projects. Not only for recognition for what they are doing but also financial support.”
Q: What kind of projects are u looking for?
Steve Randall, Ford Motor Co.
“Their all projects to do with environmental or conservation education, and cultural conservation education and also conservation engineering.
Q: Is this an indication that the conscience of Ford and Jaguar is getting to them?
Steve Randall, Ford Motor Co.
“I would say since it s a program that’s been around for twenty years, it is not something about our conscience getting to us. We have been doing it for 20 years and it is really part of our commitment to making the world a better place where we do business. And that is simply what the whole basis of what the programs are about. It is a part of our commitment to society.”
A request for submissions for this year's Jaguar Conservation Trust grant was also announced this morning. U.S. $10,000 is available for the Ford Conservation Grant and U.S. $50,000 is available for the Jaguar Grant.
You can find out more about the grants at these links:
Ford Grants
Jaguar Trust
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited for the internet by Keith Swift