The FINANCIAL -- BENTONVILLE, Ark., Aug. 4, 2011 – Walmart’s Acres for America program is donating $500,000 to help protect, conserve and restore fragile urban ecosystems in Washington D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City.

This is the first time the program has helped reestablish critical wildlife habitats in urban areas.

“We are excited to have an opportunity to help revitalize priority wildlife habitats in urban areas and bring the Acres for America program to life for our associates and customers,” said Jennifer May-Brust, Walmart vice president of realty. “Walmart is serving more and more urban customers, and this is a natural extension of what we’ve been doing in rural and suburban communities for years.”

“The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is pleased to partner with Walmart to restore and enhance natural resources in urban settings, which are so vital for wildlife and people,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of the Foundation. “These projects will benefit habitats and species across the country and involve many volunteers, including Walmart associates, in caring for their communities.”

Walmart, in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), created Acres for America, a 10-year, $35 million commitment to purchase and preserve one acre of wildlife habitat in the United States for every acre of land developed by Walmart. The program has helped conserve more than 630,000 acres in its first five years, surpassing its original 10-year goal of 138,000 acres.

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