NEEF Grants
Toyota has been partnering with the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) for more than 25 years. With major support from Toyota Motor North America, NEEF launched the Biodiversity Conservation Grant program in 2018, which is designed to support biodiversity conservation projects on America’s public lands. The second round of grants totaling $225,000 was awarded in 2021 and will support biodiversity conservation projects on public lands within the California Floristic Province.
Why We Got Involved
Environmental education is a means to improve lives, protect the environment, and prepare all Americans to address 21st century environmental challenges. NEEF’s mission is to make the environment more accessible, relatable, relevant and connected to the daily lives of all Americans. Toyota’s support of NEEF is one part of our commitment to help ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the natural wonders of our world, a commitment that reflects our mission of happiness for all. It also aligns with our core philosophies of acting for others and showing respect for people. In keeping with our practice of good corporate citizenship, this alignment includes our strategy to protect and promote biodiversity, a core focus of our Seventh Environmental Action Plan (2021 – 2025), which shows respect for our planet as well.
Related Story: Using a New Vehicle Launch to Celebrate a Longtime Partner
Our support of NEEF is ongoing and includes these current programs:
- For over two decades, Toyota has participated in National Public Lands Day, a signature event organized by NEEF. Every September, on the fourth Saturday, employees volunteer to maintain local, state and national parks; the company donates grants for park restoration.
- 2022 Driving Mobility and Accessibility on Public Lands Grant awarded eight nonprofits up to $20,000 each for mobility and accessibility projects that follow the principles of Inclusive Universal Design and go beyond the minimum guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- The Pollinator Friendly Places initiative enhances 26,000 acres of pollinator habitat across 61 habitats in 13 states, plus Canada and Mexico, , and NEEF and Pollinator Partnership are dedicated to the protection and promotion of pollinators and their ecosystems. “Toyota’s global vision of Respect for the Planet is a core value of the company and a driving force behind our environmental strategy,” says Becky Martin, Manager, Environmental and Sustainability Outreach Engagement. “The P2 project is being implemented to meet a biodiversity target in our Seventh Environmental Action Plan. Our Environmental Action Plans are five-year plans that we develop to guide us in achieving the longer-term Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, intended to have a net-positive impact on society by 2050.”
