NFWF Honors Walmart for More Than 20 Years of Conservation through Acres for America

Walmart CEO and President John Furner, like many of Walmart’s associates and customers, has a strong personal connection to the outdoors. For more than 20 years, Walmart has partnered with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through Acres for America to help conserve the landscapes to communities across the country. This landmark program has conserved more than 2.2 million acres of land, many of which are open to the public.

In South Carolina’s Lowcountry, state agencies, private timber companies, local communities and conservation groups like NFWF came together to help conserve more than 64,000 acres of forest and watershed. The Black River and Pee Dee River Basin are ecologically rich areas that encompass working forests, critical watersheds and outdoor recreation opportunities.

“It’s large, landscape-scale conservation, but it is working lands conservation that’ll stay productive for the economy and additionally it’s public access. It really hits all the checkmarks,” said Ryan Pettigrew, Walmart Program Lead for Acres for America.

Local Walmart customers and associates like Ryan Mann grew up outdoors hunting, fishing and enjoying the natural beauty. It's not just about the scenery, but the local way of life. Across the country, Acres for America empowers communities to preserve the natural areas they have a special connection to and continue their way of life.