WILMINGTON, DE — Ashland Global Holdings Inc. announced the company’s increased support of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and will donate $25,000 towards TNC’s STEM youth engagement, Nature Lab, and an additional $25,000 towards the organization’s Plant a Billion Trees by 2030 forest restoration project. 

The company reports that Nature Lab exemplifies Ashland’s Responsible Solvers™ social philanthropic focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). TNC’s hub for youth curriculum provides teachers, students and families customizable, interactive lesson plans to explore and understand nature. The curriculum platform has 550 scientists helping students learn how nature works while inspiring young people and bringing greater equity to environmental education. Students from ages five through 18 can participate in virtual and hands-on learning. Nature Lab reaches more than 2.5 million users annually in 50 of the United States and dozens of countries. Through a partnership with an online learning platform, TNC offers interactive games for students to use alongside videos as well as a Spanish-language series. Future enhancements include the active participation of young learners to tackle climate change, protect lands and waters, provide food and water sustainably, and build healthy cities. 

“Nature Lab is all about inspiring young people and bringing greater equity to environmental education,” said Kate Ireland, Director, Youth Engagement, The Nature Conservancy. “We want every young person to be able to find their place in conservation and to have the tools they need to advocate for change in their own communities and beyond.”

Ashland is also continuing its support of The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees forest restoration effort. Ashland’s donation ensures approximately 10,000 trees are planted in key regions where the company operates and there is need for reforestation and sustainable farming education. This includes Brazil, China, Mexico and the United States.

Separately, Ashland has committed to using certification standards set by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and/or Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). FSC and PEFC certified and controlled wood assures consumers that products can be traced back to responsibly managed sources. These programs embody Ashland’s decision to review and rethink its business practices with the goal to becoming a nature-positive company that positively impacts climate change, biodiversity and just social practices.

“There is no Planet B,” said Guillermo Novo, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Ashland. “We are a vital part of an ecosystem that must be protected for future generations. We believe increasing the number of students pursuing advanced degrees in STEM careers is vital to the health of the planet and to our long-term success as a company. We will continue working with partners to broaden the participation of women and minorities because the more diverse the team, the better the problem solving. Responsibly solving for a better world means innovating while being nature positive. It means doing business in a way that protects and conserves nature, while also giving back to the planet.”

Previously Ashland announced it was aligning operations with the ambitious aim of the Paris Climate Accord to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels. The company is currently validating emissions data to ensure it sets accurate targets for approval. Ashland has also made the UN Global Compact and its principles part of the company’s business strategy, culture, and day-to-day operations.

Details can be found at www.ashland.com, www.nature.org and www.ashland.com/earthday2022.