A Partnership Program led by The Conservation Fund

A Partnership Program led by The Conservation Fund

Racing for WildlifeA Partnership Program led by The Conservation Fund

MISSION

RACING FOR WILDLIFE

Racing for Wildlife brings together NASCAR and motorsports fans, drivers, team owners, and sponsors to protect important wildlife habitat, to enhance opportunities for fishing, and outdoor recreation across America, to provide for wildlife conservation education, and to engage the youth of America.

Racing for Wildlife is working with wildlife management agencies and likeminded nonprofits to conserve America’s outdoor heritage through land conservation, wildlife habitat restoration, outreach, and education.


PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Racing for Wildlife, led by The Conservation Fund, will serve as a “United Way” umbrella program for designated conservation partners and projects – creating a mechanism to harness the power and capacity of the NASCAR and motorsports community.

The program will generate revenue through a variety of activities including fan support, corporate sponsorship, merchandising campaigns, concession sales, driver and owner support, public relations, advertising, and special events.

Proceeds will be allocated between the acquisition and restoration of fishing lands, led by The Conservation Fund, while outreach and education projects focused on the youth of America will be implemented by other environmental partners in cooperation with The Conservation Fund.

Each Racing for Wildlife Grant will be matched by the participating conservation organization (at least a one-to-one match) – leveraging foundation, individual, and federal and state agency support.


Unite the racing community, lead partners, and likeminded conservation nonprofits under one program that will leverage resources and find common ground to protect America’s outdoor legacy and engage youth in outdoor activities

Introduce new fans, especially the younger generation, to the important role that NASCAR, the motorsports community, and lead partners are playing in the protection of America’s great outdoors

Strengthen partner’s relationships with racing community and fans through a national program to protect America’s outdoor heritage – its wildlife habitat and fishing and recreation areas – for future generations

Educate and nurture the next generation of sportsmen and women about the connection between fishing and conservation

Protect and restore new fishing lands for a lasting legacy

LEAD PARTNERS ~ MAKING AN IMPACT


HOW IT WORKSRacing for Wildlife

Example Project ~ $200,000(administered by The Conservation Fund)

$100,000 to The Conservation Fund to acquire and restore additional public fishing lands

$100,000 to conservation partners (i.e. NRWF, DU) for youth education and outreach

The Conservation Fund provides at least $100,000 in matching funds from Federal or State agencies or others

“Conservation Partner” provides at least $100,000 in matching funds from members, philanthropic sources

$400,000 Leveraged~

Public Fishing Lands Acquired and Restored

Youth Educated and Engaged

Public events, possibly coinciding with NASCAR or motorsports events, will be held to dedicate newly acquired lands and educate

communities about the connection between conservation and fishing. Resulting publicity will generate additional support for

Racing for WIldlife


PARTNERS Corporate Partners Expressing Interest

Bass Pro ShopsAnheuser-Busch CompaniesCoca-ColaDuPontNextel

Teams/Owners Expressing InterestRichard Childress RacingPenske Racing

Drivers or Drivers whose Representatives have Expressed InterestGreg Biffle

Jeff BurtonRyan Newman

Tony StewartMartin Truex, Jr.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.Kelly EarnhardtWally DallenbachElliott SadlerWard BurtonMichael Waltrip

Track Managers Expressing InterestAtlanta Motor SpeedwayMichigan International Speedway

Foundations Expressing InterestWard Burton Wildlife Foundation

Conservation Organizations / Public Agencies

NASCAR and Motorsports Fans

Friends and SupportersCliff Pennell


Michigan Project Proposal – The Mill Lake Youth Camp

The Mill Lake Youth Camp is located in the 20,000 acre Waterloo Recreation Area. The site is historically significant in that it is an organized group camp facility developed by the National Park Service as part of a federal work relief initiative in the 1930’s.

The Mill Lake Youth Camp Restoration Project will focus on reestablishing this historic site as a premiere outdoor education facility in Southern Michigan.


Michigan Project Proposal – The Mill Lake Youth Camp

The Camp is located on the 142 acre Mill Lake with excellent fishing opportunities.

The Camp would focus on youth activities, family events and individual use in a year-round facility that can accommodate over 140 people.

The restored site will lend itself to a variety of additional partnerships in an outstanding atmosphere that is located in the Great Lakes Area.

The Camp is located about 30 miles north of the Michigan International Speedway (MIS), two miles north of Interstate 94, sixteen miles west of Ann Arbor and within an hour of the Detroit metropolitan area.

The total estimated cost for this project is $3.2 million; however, it is proposed that the work be done in phases with Phase I costing approximately $500,000 to allow for the camp to re-open.


Why this project is well suited for Racing for Wildlife

The Michigan International Speedway (MIS) is located within 30 miles of this project, and an announcement of the Racing for Wildlife program is being planned to be made the weekend of the August 19, 2007 NASCAR race at MIS.

This project lends itself to effectively involving the youth of that region which is a major focus of the Racing for Wildlife program.

This property is a conservation priority for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and would provide excellent recreation and fishing opportunities.

The Conservation Fund strongly believes that all of the factors are in place for this property to make an ideal pilot project for the Racing for Wildlife program.


The Mill Lake Youth Camp – Funding Summary

Anticipated cost of Phase I to re-open the Camp for public use is $500,000

State of Michigan $ In kind through camp property owned by the State of Michigan and DNR staff support

Racing for Wildlife $ 500,000

(corporate and individual donations, merchandizing, etc)


State Wildlife Action Plans

The Mill Lake Youth Camp project could be a priority for the Michigan State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) by providing public education and outreach

All 50 states have completed SWAP’s

SWAP’s begin to create a national plan and coordinated blueprint for wildlife conservation

It is the intent of Racing for Wildlife to protect priority lands and to address priority needs identified in SWAP’s


Conservation Mission

The Conservation Fund forges partnerships to conserve America’s legacy of land and water resources. Through land acquisition, sustainable programs, and leadership training, the Fund and its partners demonstrate sustainable conservation solutions emphasizing the integration of economic and environmental goals.


The Conservation Fund Advantage

Effectiveness: Since 1985, the Fund has protected more than 5 million acres of our nation's outdoor heritage.

Efficiency: We only spend 1% of our budget on fundraising and we spend 96% of our budget on conservation.

Balanced Approach: As a non-advocacy, non-membership organization, the Fund is dedicated to balancing economic and environmental objectives.

Partnership-Driven: Innovative, comprehensive conservation strategies based on partner’s goals and objectives.


Conservation Results

Since 1985

Acres Protected: 5.8 Million

1,702 Conservation Projects

Fair Market Value: $3.3 Billion

Purchase Price: $2.4 Billion


CONTACT INFORMATION

Larry SelzerPresident

The Conservation Fund1655 N. Fort Myer Drive

Suite 1300Arlington, Virginia 22209-2156

703-525-6300

Rex BonerVice President

The Conservation Fund4500 Hugh Howell Road

Suite 470Tucker, GA 30084

770-414-0211

Documents

A Partnership Program led by The Conservation Fund