“Nestle Waters North America's support helps The Nature Conservancy conserve some of the most biologically diverse rivers and lakes on Earth. It's critically important to bring sound ecosystem science into water decision-making. Through dialogue and training and demonstration projects, we can together advance the practice of sustainable water management.”

Brian Richter
The Nature Conservancy's Sustainable Waters Program Director

“The Nature Conservancy's 185,000-acre St. John River project was historic because it protected the longest stretch of free-flowing wilderness river east of the Mississippi - but also because it represented the largest conservation investment the Conservancy had ever made anywhere in the world. Poland Spring matched that bold spirit by making the most significant gift it had ever made to a charitable cause here in its home state. And then the company went even further by making sure others in the corporate community had an opportunity to play a part.”

Kent Wommack
The Nature Conservancy's Australia Country Director and former Maine State Director

Nestlé Waters North America (NWNA) has supported The Nature Conservancy by committing more than $200,000 toward its conservation work. Since 1999, we have funded two major initiatives: Saving the Last Great Places and the Sustainable Waters Program.

Saving The Last Great Places:
Keeping Maine’s St. John River Forever Wild

Nestlé Waters North America provided $1 million to support The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to purchase 185,000 acres of remote forestland along 40 miles of the Upper St. John River in Maine. In addition, NWNA CEO Kim Jeffery served as the honorary chair and helped raise an additional $6 million for the organization. NWNA was the first corporation to give and led the way for other companies in a campaign that ultimately resulted in a total donation of $50 million.

In addition to greatly expanding the holdings of The Nature Conservancy, NWNA’s donation and volunteerism were ideal ways to give back to the people of Maine, where Poland Spring is sourced. Some of the State’s most important ecological features and recreational lands are now forever preserved, and the area’s compatibly managed forests will provide habitat for wildlife as well as economic opportunities for residents.