American Le Mans Series partners with Nature Conservancy to protect acres in California

The American Le Mans Series has made greening their image and events a part of the plan since at least 2007, when the organization got serious about biofuels. Last year, the group held the first Green Challenge, which became the Michelin Green X Challenge earlier this year. Today, ALMS is announcing its support for the Nature Conservancy's 'Adopt an Acre' program.

Starting in the middle of July, ALMS will start contributing to Adopt An Acre with the goal of protecting 500 acres in the Las Californias region through the "acquisition, restoration and reforestation along the Californian coastline." Oh, and there could be wine to be had from the deal, too. A part of the plan calls for "the development of ground-breaking and environmentally sound vineyard designs that will allow native plants and animals to flourish." Yum.

Interested in contributing? ALMS will take your money here. Minimum donations are $10, and $50 will protect an acre.

[Source: American Le Mans Series]

PRESS RELEASE:

AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES IS GROWING A GREENER TOMORROW ... FASTER

Global Leader in Green Racing Supports The Nature Conservancy's 'Adopt an Acre' Program

The American Le Mans Series is deepening its roots into a greener tomorrow by supporting The Nature Conservancy, an internationally recognized conservation organization, and its Adopt an Acre program featuring the Las Californias region. The relationship will help raise awareness and funds for the program through online donations and proceeds from the Series' sales of organic, American-made apparel.

The American Le Mans Series will officially begin contributing to The Nature Conservancy's Adopt an Acre program during the week of July 13 at the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix. The goal is to help protect at least 500 acres in the Las Californias project.

The donations generated by the Series will help support the creation of 600,000 acres of protected areas including grasslands, oak woodlands and coastal forests; the establishment of network wildlife corridors for such animals as the pronghorn antelope, mountain lions and bighorn sheep, as well as falcons, condors and bald eagles which are indigenous to this region; and the development of ground-breaking and environmentally sound vineyard designs that will allow native plants and animals to flourish.

The contributions to The Nature Conservancy further enhance the commitment of the American Le Mans Series progressively green platform and the Series' environmental mission statement:

For our planet, we are committed to lead by example, encouraging innovations that lead to sustainable, efficient and environmentally responsible transportation solutions.

Atherton: "We understand we have a responsibility both on and off the track, and thus the Series has proudly embraced support of this restoration program with The Nature Conservancy.

Through the funding of this project, donors will be supporting the acquisition, restoration and reforestation along the Californian coastline, improving the seascapes and landscapes that allow for more than 1,500 native plants and animals to flourish and millions of acres to stay protected.

"The American Le Mans Series has always been known for its relevant technologies and, more recently, for our role as the Global Leader of Green Racing," said Scott Atherton, President and CEO of the American Le Mans Series. "However, we understand we have a responsibility both on and off the track, and thus the Series has proudly embraced support of this restoration program with The Nature Conservancy."

In a concerted effort to continue to reduce its carbon footprint, Atherton continued, "As a motorsport series, our focus lies on developing technologies that increase fuel efficiency and developing alternative fuels that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, our dependency on petroleum and the like. Supporting The Nature Conservancy allows us to pursue a similar environmental mission by helping to preserve an important habitat, its plants and wildlife for today and future generations."

To Donate and Grow a GREENER Tomorrow. Faster
To make a direct donation to the Las Californias project please visit americanlemans.com and click on Adopt an Acre or visit nature.org/adopt. Donations can start as low as $10. Helping to protect an entire acre requires a donation of $50.

To purchase a 100 percent certified organic T-shirt please visit the American Le Mans Series Merchandise Trailer either at track or online.

American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series, based on the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, is the only motorsports body in the world that features multiple street-legal alternative energy sources - clean diesel, and E10 and E85 cellulosic ethanols as well new hybrid technologies. Through partnerships with diesel fuel supplier Shell and VP Racing Fuels, the American Le Mans Series has taken the leadership role in motorsports for the furthering of alternative fuel technology and use. It also illustrates deeper the Series' relevance to its list of prestigious manufacturers and affluent consumer base.

The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide.