Koch Environmental Stewardship

Koch companies have partnered with a number of organizations on stewardship projects and educational initiatives. Here are a few examples:

• Koch companies have worked with The Nature Conservancy on projects aimed at preserving land and habitat. In February 2010, Georgia-Pacific donated 682 acres near Wauna, Ore., to The Nature Conservancy. Koch companies provide support to the Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation, which made a $1 million grant to The Nature Conservancy in Kansas to help with its acquisition of the nearly 11,000-acre Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Chase County.

Alan Pollom, state director of the Conservancy's Kansas Chapter, said, "We are honored to use this generous gift to help permanently protect one of the best examples of unfragmented tallgrass prairies found in the Flint Hills region. The generosity of the Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation is an important commitment to environmental stewardship and conservation in Kansas."

The Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation and Koch Industries, Inc. have been generous supporters of the Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita, Kan., since it opened in 2000. More than $400,000 in funding helped create Koch Habitat Hall, which features hands-on exhibits and displays of the major habitats of the Great Plains. Each year, approximately 160,000 visitors and 1,700 groups visit the center to learn about the unique prairie landscape. Environmental education is an ongoing commitment of the center and it is made possible by our Koch partners.” Bob Gress, director, Great Plains Nature Center

“As a member of the Wildlife Habitat Council since 1998, Koch Industries, Inc. takes a leadership role in the promotion of biodiversity, wildlife habitat enhancement, land restoration and conservation education," said Robert Johnson, president, Wildlife Habitat Council. "Koch and its subsidiaries maintain Council-certified programs at 10 facilities throughout the United States, including the 300,000-acre Matador Cattle Company Beaverhead Ranch (in Montana)."

• Since 1997, Georgia-Pacific has supported more than 120 educators from across the U.S. to improve their teaching expertise, share their professional knowledge, and develop a new network of colleagues as part of its support of Colorado-based The Keystone Center.

“The combination of Georgia-Pacific’s dedication to education and environmental stewardship with The Keystone Center’s focus on science-based inquiry and hands-on learning has forged a robust, long-standing partnership,” said Wendi Liles, program director for The Keystone Center, Keystone, Colo. “Each educator that receives professional development from this partnership leaves with a strong sense of value and support for the work they provide to every student in their classroom. We are thrilled that companies like Georgia-Pacific are invested in the future of their communities.”

• In Corpus Christi, Texas, where Koch subsidiary Flint Hills Resources operates two refineries, the company is active with organizations that promote art in schools as well as supporting efforts to preserve the many bays and estuaries along the Texas Gulf Coast.

“We appreciate Flint Hills Resources’ commitment to environmental stewardship and its partnership with Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program,” says Ray Allen, executive director of the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program. “The company has assisted us with our mission to protect and restore the health and productivity of the bays and estuaries while supporting continued economic growth and public use of the bays.”

• In Corpus Christi, Flint Hills Resources supports Earth Day Bay Day with its community advisory council, comprised of interested citizens who advise the plant on issues. The event focuses on educating citizens about the bays, estuaries, wetlands, native plants and animals in the Coastal Bend. Flint Hills has been a sponsor since the event’s inception in 1999.

“Flint Hills Resources is committed to operating safely with a strong commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Pat Suter, Sierra Club member and Corpus Christi Community Advisory Council member. “As a member of the community advisory council, Flint Hills regularly shares information about the progress it has made in reducing emissions. In addition, the company supports numerous local organizations, especially those dedicated to improving education of youth --- and they open their wildlife learning preserve to school groups.”

• In Minnesota, Flint Hills Resources has been working with numerous community groups and is a major sponsor of the Science Museum of Minnesota's science camps for local children. In addition, the community environmental stewardship projects have spanned from river cleanups to working with organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, Friends of the Mississippi River and the Minnesota Environmental Initiative.

• During the past 16 years, Ducks Unlimited has helped preserve and manage more than 36,000 acres of wild rice on 116 lakes, many thousands of acres of wetlands, and other waterfowl habitat throughout Minnesota.

“Flint Hills Resources is one of DU’s most generous supporters to our Living Lakes Initiative. Flint Hills is a true friend to the outdoors and great partner in our ongoing efforts to promote and protect Minnesota's natural habitat.” Ryan Heiniger, director of conservation programs in Minnesota, Ducks Unlimited.

“MEI’s partnership with FHR has allowed Project Green Fleet to achieve remarkable results. Project Green Fleet has crafted a national award-winning public/private partnership to clean diesel engines, obtaining many tons of air pollution reductions. More than 130,000 students across Minnesota ride in cleaner buses because of the program. FHR’s lasting and meaningful participation in this voluntary effort has helped to leverage millions of dollars in federal support, which has led to clean diesel activities for hundreds of communities and school districts.” Bill Droessler, director of environmental projects, Minnesota Environmental Initiative.

"For more than ten years, Flint Hills Resources has partnered with Friends of the Mississippi River to protect and restore natural areas on Flint Hills’ property along the Mississippi River, which provides critical habitat for both resident and migratory animals. Our decade-long collaboration with Flint Hills has helped improve an important part of our region's natural habitat, and sets a high standard for businesses to take an active role in restoring and enhancing their local environment." Tom Lewanski, conservation director, Friends of the Mississippi River.

"We participate in Georgia-Pacific’s Water Ways Festival hosting the environmental education event as well as manning the Water and Recreation learning station. Georgia-Pacific is a good corporate citizen and neighbor providing financial support and volunteers. We know that we can depend on Georgia-Pacific." Matt Bruner, Superintendent, Kolomoki Mounds State Historic Park, Blakely, Ga.

•INVISTA sponsors the annual Augusta County, Va., household hazardous material collection event for country residents to dispose of household hazardous materials in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.

“INVISTA saves the tax payers of Augusta County $15,000 each year by sponsoring the County’s annual household hazardous materials collection event. Augusta County sincerely thanks INVISTA for their community service and commitment to environmental excellence.” Candy Hensley, environmental programs manager, Augusta County Government Center, Augusta, Va.