Battelle Announces Gift to Support The Nature Conservancy

The donation will support the nonprofit’s Wildfire Resilience program and Climate Studies

Battelle announced today it is directing a $500,000 philanthropic gift to The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to support the organization’s Wildfire Resilience programs across North America and Climate Risk Assessments study, addressing two of the most challenging environmental issues of our time: wildfires and climate change.

The Wildfire Resiliency programs will use established networks with a range of partners across North America, including Indigenous People and local communities, to support and share wildfire risk mitigation and community adaptation strategies, including training in controlled-burn techniques.

“We’re proud to support The Nature Conservancy as it advances its mission to create a world where people and nature can thrive,” said Wes Hall, Battelle’s Vice President for Philanthropy and Education. “Their programs to study climate change, particularly in partnership with diverse local communities, will help our nation become more climate resilient.”

Additionally, Battelle’s support will expand TNC’s Climate Risk Assessments, tackling a range of issues associated with global climate resiliency.

With these programs, TNC aims to:

• Design online courses and workshops on climate topics, catalyzing climate research delivery to key regions in the U.S. and around the world. These educational tools will connect the Conservancy’s comprehensive climate risk scenarios to local problems, especially in North America.

• Study and measure the human health impacts of climate events including wildfires.

• Explore ways to mitigate climate-related risks for vulnerable communities, with a specific focus on understanding how climate change disproportionately affects these communities. The scientific knowledge gained from this research will have practical applications in various regions, from Los Angeles to Columbus, Kenya to the Caribbean.

• Research how a changing climate may affect natural vegetation. This investigation will consider both TNC and partner lands, examining potential transformations such as tree species changing from conifers to hardwoods, or forests even shifting to grasslands. The findings will inform priorities for conservation, e.g., protecting the most climate resilient landscapes.

“With support from Battelle, we are launching this groundbreaking work at the critical interface of climate risk and human health, recognizing their growing importance in delivering equitable conservation outcomes,” said Deputy Chief Scientist Nichole Barger at The Nature Conservancy.

This was echoed by TNC’s North America Fire Director Marek Smith: “As hotter and drier conditions increase across many regions of the world, we will continue to see more wildfires. We greatly appreciate Battelle’s interest in and support of ways we can help ecosystems be sustained and ready for wildfire and communities to work to live safely in fire-prone areas.”

About The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 76 countries and territories—37 by direct conservation impact and 39 through partners—we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

About Battelle

Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org.

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