One of ConocoPhillips’ particular environmental interests is conserving the natural habitat of migratory birds, an objective that has been among the company’s charitable priorities since the 1970s. Consequently, in 2005 ConocoPhillips founded the SPIRIT of Conservation Migratory Bird Program, an outgrowth of the company’s long-working relationship with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). The program strives to protect, restore and improve the natural systems and habitats upon which migratory birds depend for survival, and to benefit declining bird species.
The SPIRIT partnership has been highly successful. Through its first five years, 27 grants have been awarded to 19 conservation groups in seven states and four countries. More than 55,000 acres of priority bird habitats have been protected and restored and at least 250,000 metric tons of carbon will be sequestered as a result. ConocoPhillips’ cumulative contribution of $2.4 million has been leveraged by NFWF at better than 3:1, for a total on-the-ground impact of nearly $8 million.