Anheuser-Busch Answers the Call of the Wild

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Encountering an alligator or black bear on work property may be unusual, but employees at several Anheuser-Busch locations find such animal encounters completely normal.  In fact, many look forward to seeing their wild neighbors when enjoying the wildlife sanctuaries Anheuser-Busch developed to promote conservation to employees and residents in the surrounding communities.

Anheuser-Busch's efforts to conserve the lands around its facilities have once again been recognized by the Wildlife Habitat Council's (WHC) Wildlife at Work(SM) certification program.  In total, eight Anheuser-Busch operating facilities received this certification for various projects creating a healthy and biodiverse natural world.

"One of the responsibilities of being a good corporate citizen is protecting the natural habitats of the plant and animal species that call our facility lands home," said Peter Kraemer, vice president Supply for Anheuser-Busch, Inc.  "This includes animals such as the peregrine falcon that built a nest on the top of the malt house in Manitowoc and the bullfrogs creating entertaining sounds at the Baldwinsville brewery."

The following Anheuser-Busch operations became WHC-certified Wildlife at Work(SM) programs.

• Jacksonville Brewery and Nutri-Turf Farm (Jacksonville, Fla.) – certified since 1997
• Elk Mountain Farms (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) – certified since 1998
• Manitowoc Barley Malt Plant (Manitowoc, Wis.) – certified since 1999
• Ft. Collins Brewery (Fort Collins, Colo.) – certified since 2006
• Ft. Collins Nutri-Turf Farm (Fort Collins, Colo.) – certified since 2001
• Cartersville Brewery (Cartersville, Ga.) – certified since 2004
• Merrimack Brewery (Merrimack, N.H.) – certified since 2007
• Baldwinsville Brewery (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) – certified since 2008

"The Wildlife Habitat Council believes collaboration among all stakeholder groups is critical to addressing the complex issues facing the sustainability of the planet," said Robert Johnson, WHC President.  "WHC members take a leading role in connecting community stakeholders through wildlife habitat enhancement, community outreach and conservation education.  Congratulations to Anheuser-Busch for their commitment to a healthy natural world and connected communities."

Three Anheuser-Busch facilities also maintain certified Corporate Lands for Learning(SM) (CLL) programs.  CLL facilities serve as educational resources for local educators and wildlife researchers.  CLL certified Anheuser-Busch facilities include:

• Cartersville Brewery – certified since  2006
• Fort Collins Brewery and Nutri-Turf Farm – certified since 2007
• Jacksonville Brewery and Nutri-Turf Farm – certified since 2008

Since 1990, WHC has certified 560 programs worldwide, of which 113 have been designated CLL programs.  The certification program recognizes outstanding wildlife habitat management and environmental education efforts at corporate sites, and offers third-party validation of the benefits of such programs. Certification requirements are strict and require programs apply for periodic renewal.

The Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) is a nonprofit, non-lobbying organization dedicated to increasing the quality and amount of wildlife habitat on corporate, private and public lands.  WHC devotes its resources to building partnerships with corporations and conservation groups to create solutions that balance the demands of economic growth with the requirements of a healthy, biodiverse and sustainable environment. WHC-assisted wildlife habitat and conservation education programs are found in 48 states, the District of Columbia and nine other countries.  To learn more, visit www.wildlifehc.org.

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 49.2 percent share of U.S. beer sales.  The company brews the world's largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light.  Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine's Most Admired Global Companies list in 2009.  The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the leading global brewer, and continues to operate under the Anheuser-Busch name and logo.  Anheuser-Busch is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and one of the world's largest recyclers of aluminum cans.  For more information, visit www.OurPledge.com.

A description of each operation's wildlife site is available upon request.  

SOURCE Anheuser-Busch