By April MacIntyre Sep 19, 2008, 2:10 GMT
The Grand Canyon Association was the beneficiary of the Toyota corporation's donation to support a number of environmental, education and safety programs for visitors to the park and high school students across the country, it was announced today.
boaters on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park near Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA. Heavy rains caused an earthen dam near the Grand Canyon to break flooding a town on an Indian reservation and forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents and tourists by helicopter 17 August 2008. EPA/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Toyota gave $500,000 and five hybrid vehicles to the Association for their preservation efforts. The vehicles include two Prius and three Highlander Hybrids to Grand Canyon National Park.
This donation is part of a $5 million contribution package from Toyota in support of five National Parks and the National Park Foundation to enhance environmental leadership and educational programs at parks around the country.
The company also gave 23 vehicles in total to the national parks.
"Toyota's philanthropic support makes more resources available to the youth of this country and ensures the future stewardship of Grand Canyon National Park and other public lands," said Susan Schroeder, executive director of the Grand Canyon Association, the official fundraising partner of the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon National Park will use Toyota’s gift to expand the park's Preventative Search and Rescue Program to the North Rim. This program ensures that visitors have a memorable experience at the park.
According to Toyota, the bulk of the funds will be used to support the Grand Canyon's Environmental Education (GCEE) program, which will offer travel grants to schools in inner-cities, rural counties and Indian reservations to enable the groups to bring their students to the park.
Also cold weather gear will be purchased to loan to students visiting in the late fall and winter.
Additionally a School Resource Ranger will be added to the Grand Canyon School each school day; three horses for the use of mounted rangers were donated; and strengthening the Rim to River stewardship development program, which is available to high school students from across the country and supports the Department of the Interior's No Child Left Inside Initiative.
"Toyota has become a champion of national parks through their generosity and leadership in environmental initiatives," said Steve Martin, Grand Canyon National Park superintendent. "Their donation of five fuel saving vehicles helps to support the National Park Service mission and promotes a positive course to a cleaner, more environmentally responsible future."
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