NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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