Shell Marine Habitat Program

In 1998, the Shell Oil Company Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced at a special ceremony the single largest corporate donation ever made in support of marine conservation. Shell's unprecedented $5 million gift over five years has been used by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to create a conservation fund called the Shell Marine Habitat Program that will support projects to conserve, protect and enhance the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem.

Designed to further the understanding of the dynamics between oceans, estuaries, and man's use of them, the Shell Marine Habitat Program has funded Gulf Coast marine management research, habitat protection, and environmental education projects. Among the potential areas for funding were barrier island protection, coral reefs, exotic species, hypoxia, marine debris, red and brown tides, redfish and other key species, rigs to reefs, wetlands and other key habitat conservation projects.

The Shell program has promoted problem-solving habitat restoration projects, practical research, education programs and innovative responses to conserve the Gulf of Mexico marine environment. "Shell has once again demonstrated its leadership in the Gulf of Mexico. Oceans, fish, and their special habitats often are overlooked for charitable donations," says Amos Eno, executive director, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. "The Shell Marine Habitat Program will help bring the Gulf of Mexico's unique ecosystem to the public's attention and serve as a catalyst to assure that important marine resource issues are addressed.

Shell has had a long-standing relationship with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and a long-standing commitment to environmental protection," said Shell’s President and Chief Executive Officer of Shell Exploration & Production Company. "A thriving and vibrant Gulf of Mexico is important to all of us. Much of Shell's business is centered along the Gulf coast, and many of Shell's employees live, work and retire in the region. We view the Shell Marine Habitat Program as an important investment in our future." The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation awarded grants through a competitive, peer-reviewed matching fund program. In this way, Shell and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation have almost tripled the Shell Oil Company Foundation's $5 million contribution.

To date, the program has funded well 90 projects in 11 states; 125,000 acres of habitat have been improved or restored to benefit fish and wildlife; 31,000 acres of fish and wildlife habitat have been permanently protected; 27,000 students have been involved in hands-on conservation activities, and more than 55,000 people have been educated about Gulf of Mexico issues.