Toyota and Wyland Foundation Partner to Encourage Resource Conservation Throughout Earth Month

TORRANCE, Calif., March 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota kicks off Earth Month by expanding its partnership with the Wyland Foundation to encourage residents nationwide to preserve our natural resources by taking an online pledge to conserve water. Toyota's support of the Wyland Foundation, a non-profit founded by renowned environmental, marine artist Wyland, is part of the automobile company's long-standing commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

This year, Toyota will support the Wyland Foundation to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act as the organization hosts the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation, March 30 – April 30.  With support from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the campaign challenges mayors nationwide to inspire their residents to conserve natural resources by taking a free, online pledge to save water. Participants in the city that registers the most pledges within the Challenge dates will be eligible to win a variety of prizes, including the new Toyota Prius c, which has an EPA-estimated city fuel economy rating of 53 miles per gallon. To take the free online pledge, visit www.mywaterpledge.com.    

"An integral part of Toyota's commitment to sustainability is building strategic partnerships with organizations such as the Wyland Foundation, which for years has been running innovative programs that focus on environmental education," said Michael Rouse, vice president of philanthropy and community affairs for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. "Both Toyota and the Wyland Foundation are passionate about educating and inspiring people of all ages about the importance of environmental stewardship. We hope that the possibility of winning a new Prius c Hybrid vehicle will motivate even more people to get involved."

"With a shared goal of promoting environmental stewardship, we are excited to continue working with Toyota on our Earth Month initiatives," said artist Wyland. "With great support from partners like Toyota, we are able to expand the Mayor's Challenge to even more cities this year, and generate awareness about the importance of conservation to protect our environment both for today and the future."

This year also marks the second anniversary of Toyota and Wyland's Earth Month Heroes, a Southern California program that recognizes 30 exemplary citizens who find ground-breaking ways to work toward sustaining a healthy planet. The Wyland Foundation, Toyota and regional broadcast partner KCBS / KCAL will make donations of $250 on behalf of the Earth Month Heroes to deserving organizations in Southern California, with a $1,000 grand prize donation, to support local conservation efforts. For the full list of Earth Month Heroes, visit www.wylandfoundation.org, starting April 1.

To kick off both the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation and Earth Month Heroes program, the Wyland Foundation and Toyota will host an event on March 30 at The Americana Brand in Glendale, Calif. with environmental artist, Wyland. Open to the public, Wyland will paint a marine life mural with attendees that will later be displayed in Anthropologie at The Americana. Additional support was provided by the U.S. Forest Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Waterpik, Rain Bird, Lowe's and Sterling Plumbing.

In addition to its support of the Wyland Foundation, Toyota engages the public through a variety of environmental initiatives and activities as part of the company's commitment to impactful environmental stewardship. One of Toyota's key environmental initiatives is TogetherGreen™, a five-year program funded by a $20 million Toyota grant to the National Audubon Society that aims to inspire people to take action to improve the health of the environment. For the past 14 years Toyota has also partnered with the National Environmental and Education Foundation (NEEF) to support National Public Lands Day (NPLD), held annually in September, and is the largest, hands-on volunteer event to improve and enhance public lands. Recently the partnership expanded to include "Every Day" grants to community-based organizations.

The all-new Prius c is designed to function as an urban-friendly vehicle with an engaging driving experience and hatchback utility. With a city fuel economy rating of 53 mpg, Prius c offers the highest city mpg rating of any vehicle without a plug. The Prius c joins the Prius Family, which includes the third generation Prius Liftback, the versatile new Prius v and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, which will debut in early 2012.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants in eight states.  Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 people in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design facilities. Toyota's annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from U.S. suppliers totals more than $23 billion.

Toyota is deeply committed to being a great community partner and is focused on supporting programs in ways that achieve long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, with a particular concentration on education, the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed more than half a billion dollars to philanthropic programs across the U.S.

For more information on Toyota, please visit www.toyota.com.

About the Wyland Foundation
Founded in 1993 by environmental artist Wyland (best known for his series of 100 monumental marine life murals), the Wyland Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization, is actively engaged in teaching millions of students around the county about our ocean, rivers, lakes streams, and wetlands. The foundation's latest project, FOCUS (Forests, Oceans, Climate – and us) brings together the U.S. Forest Service, NOAA, and numerous non-profits to teach young people about the future of our water supplies, climate, and global health.  www.wylandfoundation.org         

SOURCE Toyota