Foundation grants $1
million to restore threatened whitebark pine in western
U.S.
CHANHASSEN, Minn., May 17, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- The Life Time Foundation, the 501©(3)
nonprofit created by Life Time, Inc. (NYSE: LTH), has provided a
$1 million grant to American Forests
to support restoration of the threatened whitebark pine in the
western U.S.
Whitebark pine is a high-elevation keystone species that has
been experiencing large-scale die-off caused by disease, pests and
climate change. Without its existence, other species and forest
ecosystems are at risk of drastic, negative change. With this
critical funding, American Forests will be able to advance projects
to restore whitebark pine, which grows across 80 million acres in
seven western states and two Canadian provinces, including national
parks and iconic areas where many ski, hike and camp. Projects also
will support wildlife and return whitebark pine forests that help
hold and slowly release snowpack, delivering clean water to the
communities below.
"We're proud to support American Forests and further our
commitment to nurture a healthy planet today and for future
generations to come," said Sarah
Emola, Life Time Director of ESG Programs and the Life Time
Foundation. "Our respective missions align well and reinforce our
joint commitment to preserve the land and ensure a space where
future generations can live healthy, happy lives."
Specific projects supported by the grant include efforts to
directly plant seeds in Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Teton
National Parks, as well as collect and test cones for disease
resistance in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
Additionally, the funds will help strengthen the reforestation
supply chain by supporting nurseries and training experts, as well
as advance work to sequence the genome of the whitebark pine and
improve efforts to cultivate natural disease resistance.
"We've seen immense loss of whitebark pine across its range; yet
we have the tools and knowledge to reverse the decline of this
important species," said Brian
Kittler, Resilient Forests lead with American Forests.
"Through partnerships like our collaboration with the Life Time
Foundation, we're able to scale up restoration efforts and work
across landscapes to fix the trajectory of whitebark pine."
By conserving and restoring this threatened species and its
ecosystem, a key component to alpine biodiversity is protected,
ensuring future generations can continue to enjoy the health
benefits of outdoor recreation in pristine nature environments and
foster a deeper connection with nature. The Life Time Foundation
and American Forests encourage joining their efforts to conserve,
preserve, and protect the environment. To donate to this
initiative, click here.
About Life Time Foundation
The Life Time Foundation,
is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit created by Life Time,
Inc. dedicated to inspiring Healthy People, a Healthy Planet,
and a Healthy Way of Life. Through financial grants and direct
action, we support Youth Nutrition by helping schools serve
wholesome, nourishing, minimally processed food to students; Youth
Movement by championing physical movement programs that get
children active and excited to move for life; and a Healthy Planet
by supporting forestation and conservation initiatives, so everyone
can live healthy, happy lives. For more information, visit
www.ltfoundation.org.
About American Forests
American Forests is the first
national nonprofit conservation organization created in the U.S.
Since its founding in 1875, the organization has been the
pathfinders for the forest conservation movement. Its mission is to
create healthy and resilient forests, from cities to large natural
landscapes, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people,
water and wildlife. The organization advances its mission through
forestry, innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore
forests, and movement building. For more information visit:
www.americanforests.org.
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SOURCE Life Time Foundation