Invasive plant species cost the US economy more than $100 billion annually. SCA interns have been working with national parks and forests for two decades to protect native plant communities.
Charlestown, NH (Vocus/PRWEB ) May 13, 2010 -- The Student Conservation Association (SCA), a national leader in youth service and stewardship, today announced its partnership with the Crawford Taylor Foundation in alliance with Enterprise Rent-A-Car on a nationwide initiative to protect native plant communities threatened by invasive species.
Exotic, non-indigenous species quietly disrupt and often destroy native ecosystems, costing the U.S. economy more than $100 billion annually. About 42% of the species on the federal Threatened or Endangered Species lists are at risk primarily because of invasive species. The SCA-Enterprise effort will focus on national parks and forests where native plant life is most threatened. Starting in May, SCA interns will map, inventory, restore and revegetate at least 75,000 acres of public lands and conduct a broad range of community volunteer and education activities.
"Enterprise is proud to be partnering with SCA as an extension of our company's long-term commitment to conservation," says Chrissy Taylor-Broughton, assistant vice president for Enterprise Rent-A-Car and board member of the Crawford Taylor Foundation. "The restoration of native plants by SCA interns will have an immediate and positive impact on the land, and their outreach assures a long-term community impact as well."
The joint SCA-Enterprise program will engage more than 100 college-age individuals in habitat restoration, invasive plant eradication, and environmental education at iconic American landmarks including the Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, and Cibola National Forest. In addition to the environmental benefits, participants will gain new proficiencies through service-learning experiences and develop professional, personal and group leadership skills.
"Native plants are under siege across our nation," says SCA President Dale Penny. "Without mitigation, exotics will further imperil our wildlife and watersheds, and change the face of the American landscape. SCA is grateful to Enterprise for their vision and generosity, and together we will make a difference on this important environmental issue."
SCA's experience combating invasive species spans two decades. This year's native plant initiative will begin in May and continue through December in more than 17 parks, forests and communities.
About Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Founded in 1957, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is an internationally recognized brand with more than 6,000 neighborhood and airport locations in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland and Germany. Known for exceptionally low rates and outstanding customer service, Enterprise was named to BusinessWeek's annual list of "Customer Service Champs" in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Enterprise also has ranked highest in customer satisfaction among North American airport rentals in 10 of the past 11 years, according to J.D. Power and Associates Rental Car Satisfaction Study. Enterprise of North America also is part of a global strategic alliance with Europcar, creating the world's largest car rental network.
Enterprise Holdings, headquartered in St. Louis, owns and operates Enterprise Rent-A-Car and WeCar car-sharing through its regional subsidiaries. There are more than 5,000 Enterprise offices located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population, and local customers are picked up at no extra cost. Enterprise launched car-sharing in 2007 as a natural extension of its business rental program and longtime focus on customized local service. With WeCar car-sharing technology, Enterprise offers a totally automated, membership-based and environmentally friendly transportation solution to local businesses, universities and government offices looking to enhance their fleet management operations and sustainability initiatives. To further minimize the environmental impact of car rentals, Enterprise not only offers customers the opportunity to offset carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, but also to rent a hybrid vehicle in more than 30 major markets. For more information about Enterprise, visit www.enterprise.com.
About SCA
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the only national organization that develops tomorrow's conservation leaders by providing high school and college students with conservation service opportunities in all 50 states, from urban communities to national parks and forests. Since 1957, SCA's hands-on practice of conservation service has helped to develop new generations of conservation leaders, inspire lifelong stewardship, and save the planet. SCA is a non-profit headquartered in Charlestown, NH and maintains regional offices in Boise, ID, Oakland, CA, Pittsburgh, PA, Seattle, WA, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.thesca.org.
Contact:
Deirdre Fitzgerald, SCA
603.504.3263 (office)
Meghan Maguire, Enterprise
314-512-2040 (office)
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