Project WET

As the largest global sponsor of Project WET, we have helped Project WET deliver award winning water education materials to over one million educators and more than 50 million students, educating them on water resource management, hydration and health, and environmental stewardship. Through training workshops, Project WET educates teachers, children and communities about the importance of water conservation and stewardship.

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Gulf of Maine Research Institute Partnership

As part of our commitment to educating the next generation about our most critical resource, our Poland Spring® brand formed a partnership in 2006 with the Maine-based Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI). Poland Spring® supports LabVenture, an immersive marine science program, which offers students the unique opportunity to take on the role of scientist as they experience a day at a working marine research facility. To date, Poland Spring® has helped GMRI provide this experience to nearly 50,000 students from every corner of the state. We are commited to ensuring access to GMRI's LabVenture Program, as we strive to promote science literacy and inspire Maine's future workforce to follow 21st century natural resouce based career aspirations.

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Crystal Springs Preserve – Natural Florida as a Classroom

Crystal Springs sits on a 525 acre preserve in Central Florida. It is the primary spring source for Zephyrhills Spring Water. Thanks to the unique partnership with Two Rivers Ranch, Crystal Springs Preserve and Nestlé Waters, the spring also serves as a world-class environmental education center that teaches thousands of children about springs ecology and the importance of conservation. With 525 acres of nearly pristine wilderness and eco-friendly learning facilities, built with a contribution from Nestlé Waters, the Preserve offers free field trips and unique learning activities. Wet feet and dirty hands might not be welcome in some classrooms, but at Crystal Springs, learning by doing is the order of the day. Students range from pre-kindergarten to post-doctorate levels, and all come away with a deeper understanding about the natural treasures that are Florida springs.

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“Every Drop Counts” Science Scholarship Fund

We believe that environmental education is critically important for the future. That’s one reason why we created this scholarship fund through our Ozarka brand. Since 2002, each year we’ve awarded five scholarships to Texas students who are pursuing college degrees in the earth and/or environmental sciences. We award two $10,000 scholarships and three $2,500 scholarships. The goal of the scholarship fund is to inspire another generation of students to conserve and protect the natural environment through strong leadership and innovation.

The National Children’s Forest

Spreading out over 3,400 acres in the San Bernardino Mountains, California, The National Children’s Forest gives kids of all ages an opportunity to learn more about the area. The forest includes various trails geared toward developing a greater appreciation for the natural environment. Within the forest there’s also The Big Bear Discovery Center where 160,000 visitors learn more about the outdoors each year. They can also participate in naturalist-led tours and interpretive programs. We not only support The National Children’s Forest through our involvement with the San Bernardino National Forest Association (SBNFA) but we also contribute funds and employee volunteer hours toward the SBNFA’s various conservation and education efforts.

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Ducks Unlimited and Wetland Conservation

Our Ozarka® Natural Spring Water and Ducks Unlimited – a world leader in wetlands conservation – forged a partnership based on a mutual commitment to environmental stewardship. Nestlé Waters recognizes that by protecting and improving wetland areas that provide critical habitat for their associated species – from waterfowl to wood ducks to other water birds, we are also protecting the water resources.

Ozarka supports Ducks Unlimited’s efforts to improve the wetlands around the spring that support the company’s facility in Hawkins, Texas, and wetland restoration efforts along the entire Texas Gulf Coast.

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"Last Great Places" — Protecting the Iconic St. John River

As part of our commitment to protect fresh water resources, Nestlé Waters contributed both financial support and employee time to raise funds for The Nature Conservancy’s “Last Great Places” campaign to restore more than 426,000 acres of natural lands and waters across the U.S. In 1999, Nestlé Waters – through its Poland Spring® brand – contributed to TNC’s purchase of 185,000 acres along 40 miles of the iconic Upper St. John River in northern Maine. This project ensures the preservation of the important natural features and recreational lands of the last wild, free-flowing major river in the eastern US. Nestlé Waters was recognized at the time as a good example of how partnerships between private business and conservation groups can help secure Maine’s pristine, natural heritage which is a key support for the purity of the Poland Spring brand.

Watershed Protection around Our Sites

We spend $8 million annually to maintain and protect the quality of our spring sources and their immediate watershed areas. Approximately 14,000 acres of land around our spring sources are managed as open space and are an environmental benefit to the local community.

Being a Good Neighbor in Chaffee County

In Chaffee County, Colorado, Nestlé Waters has worked to develop a collaborative partnership with the community where it plans to produce and bottle spring water.

Since May 2007, Nestlé Waters has performed extensive testing of the springs and the source aquifer to ensure water use can be managed sustainably. The company has proactively solicited input and recommendations from local residents and organizations – such as the Division of Wildlife (CDOW), the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) – to ensure the project has overall positive benefits for the community. This will include restoration of riparian and wetland environment, a $500,000 endowment to fund locally driven education projects, and net positive tax revenue. This investment allows us to ensure that there is no degradation of the resource from our use.

Evart, Michigan

In 2005 Nestlé Waters joined leaders of Evart, Michigan on a mission to protect the long-term quality of water the city supplies its residential, commercial and industrial customers — as well as to Nestlé Waters’ Ice Mountain brand. Evart’s water supply is drawn from groundwater resources via a well field that stretches an area around which development grew and posed potential water quality risks. Nestlé worked with the local schools, 4H fair, and city water department to relocate dirt parking lots and a livestock washing facility from atop the city’s water supply recharge zone. The results were important recharge zone protections, well field and well house improvements, and community infrastructure enhancements.

Friends of Mill Creek in Canada

We support the Friends of Mill Creek in fishery and stream rehabilitation work in Canada, including stream bank reconstruction, stream bed re-grading, tree planting, culvert replacement and farm fencing repair. The work is performed by the Mill Creek Stewardship Rangers, four local high school students and a crew leader hired over an eight-week period each summer. Educational opportunities are combined with this practical experience. The Mill Creek is an important natural feature of the Puslinch community. Our support helps restore the creek for use by future generations, particularly because of the natural resource education it affords students who serve as Mill Creek Stewardship Rangers. Nestlé Waters Canada provides access across its property to do work around Mill Creek and participates in the enrichment program for students.

Click here to learn more about Friends of Mill Creek in Canada

Hollis Pitch Pine Preservation Effort

Over the past decade, Nestlé Waters’ Poland Spring brand has partnered with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to plant 150,000 red and white pine trees and link 2,700 acres of globally rare pitch pine forest near the company’s bottling plant in Hollis, Maine. This land, which is in the watershed of our springs, was previously deforested for use as a potato farm. The reforestation protects our springs, while preserving and repopulating this once prosperous habitat.

Ice Mountain® Environmental Stewardship Fund

In 2001, we established the Ice Mountain Environmental Stewardship Fund to support habitat preservation and restoration along the Muskegon River watershed, one of the largest in Michigan. Our Ice Mountain brand - whose water bottling operation is located within the watershed - granted a total of $427,899 since 2003. These funds support conservation organizations aiming to improve the quality of water and watersheds, as well as restore natural wildlife habitat and critical wetlands around the watershed.

Fair, Science-Based Groundwater Protection Laws

In 2006, we worked with a coalition of stakeholders in Michigan to support bipartisan legislation that strengthened state water-use laws, clarified permitting processes, and protected water resources and sensitive habitats. We also support the adoption of the proposed Great Lakes Compact by all Great Lakes states.

In Maine, we collaborated with the governor, local legislators and environmental groups to establish a more consistent, scientific approach to measuring major water withdrawals to ensure they do not have an undue adverse effect on water resources.

We believe these laws are critical for protecting groundwater sources and plan to continue working with stakeholders to pass progressive groundwater legislation in other states.