Nissan Donates $50,000 to Harpeth River Watershed Association

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Sept. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) announced a $50,000 grant renewal to the Harpeth River Watershed Association (HRWA) to support its outreach, policy and restoration programs.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080506/NISSANWORDMARKLOGO)

Nissan's funding will support HRWA's efforts to continue river recovery from the devastating May 2010 flood and to improve recreational access to the river through the Harpeth River Blueway Project. Funds will also be used to support HRWA's Water Quality Program to increase the river levels of dissolved oxygen to meet state standards.

"The Harpeth River Watershed Association is recognized nationally for its expertise in protecting and restoring waterways, and we are proud to support its important work," said Scott Becker, Nissan senior vice president, Administration and Finance, and chairman of the Nissan Foundation.  "Nissan has become a leader in promoting sustainability and clean energy innovation with the launch of the Nissan LEAF zero-emission car. Partnering with HRWA complements these priorities."

"Nissan's continuing partnership has been critical to our success over the past ten years," said Dorene Bolze, executive director, HRWA. "For example, we were able to launch our Waterway Flood Recovery Project within weeks of the historic May 2010 flood. HRWA worked with nearly 800 volunteers to remove 120 tons of flood debris from the Harpeth and other streams in the greater Nashville region just one year later. We applaud Nissan's commitment to the environment."

Support for environmental initiatives is a corporate citizenship priority for Nissan. The partnership with HRWA allows Nissan to support the goals of the Nissan Green Program, which aims to ease the environmental burden of its business activities, and to help protect the Harpeth River, which flows near the Nissan Americas headquarters in Franklin.  For example, HRWA recently completed summer monitoring of the river's dissolved oxygen levels with trained volunteers as an important way to take the pulse of the health of the river.

In addition to the funding for recovery and restoration efforts, Nissan will be the presenting sponsor for the HRWA's annual River Swing event on Oct. 1. Funds raised at the dinner, concert and auction will match Nissan's grant support for HRWA's efforts to protect the State Scenic Harpeth River and clean water in Tennessee. For more information on the River Swing, go to www.harpethriver.org/riverswing.

Nissan LEAF, the world's first all-electric, zero-emission vehicle, will be on display at the River Swing. Production of the Nissan LEAF will begin in Tennessee in 2012 at Nissan's vehicle assembly facility in Smyrna.

About Harpeth River Watershed Association

The Harpeth River Watershed Association (HRWA) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, science based, conservation organization dedicated to the long-term protection the State Scenic Harpeth River and clean water in Tennessee.  For over 10 years, HRWA has collaborated with landowners, businesses, local, state, and federal decision makers and others to put solutions in place to maintain healthy areas, reduce pollution, and restore areas so that the Harpeth river meets water quality standards set for people and wildlife. For more information about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and updates on the Harpeth River, please visit HRWA on line at www.harpethriver.org.

About Nissan Americas

In the Americas, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing.  Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and was recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2010 and 2011. More information on Nissan in North America, the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com.

SOURCE Nissan Americas