Toyota To Be Premier Sponsor of 2008 Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest

Washington, DC - The National Wildlife Refuge Association is pleased to announce that Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. will become the Premier Sponsor of the 2008 National Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest, an annual event that attracts thousands of outstanding wildlife and habitat photos from around the country. Specifically, Toyota will provide the grand prize, a 2008 Highlander Hybrid, and funding to support contest management.

"As a company that prides itself on environmental involvement and activism, Toyota has ramped up its traditional Earth Day activities, expanding its involvement throughout the Earth-Month of April," said Ernest Bastein, Vice President of the Vehicle Operations Group for Toyota. "Toyota is the industry leader in hybrid vehicle technology. It sees these programs as a natural extension of its commitment to bringing environmentally friendly transportation to mainstream consumers."

"By becoming the Premier Sponsor of the National Wildlife Refuge Photo contest, Toyota will play a valuable role in drawing attention to America's unique wildlife heritage, while encouraging public enjoyment and appreciation of our nation's most important conservation treasures" said Evan Hirsche, President of the National Wildlife Refuge Association. "We're pleased to have Toyota, the automotive leader in fuel-efficiency and low-emissions technology, as a sponsor and partner."

More than 2,200 images from 197 refuges across all 50 states were submitted to the 2007 Refuge Photo Contest, undeniable evidence that refuges are outstanding places to view wildlife and experience America's diverse heritage. As in the past, the winners will be featured in the June issue of Wildlife Refuge magazine.

To view the winning images and refuge image library, visit: http://www.refugenet.org/contest/2007ContestStatus.html

"The contest photos are testimonial both to the wealth of talent possessed by amateur outdoor photographers across the nation, and to the spectacular beauty that can be found at our national wildlife refuges," said Hirsche. "With Toyota's help, the 2008 contest will allow us to educate more people than ever about the National Wildlife Refuge System." The NWRA will begin accepting images for the 2008 contest beginning in September, 2007.

The National Wildlife Refuge Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, nationwide membership organization, established in 1975. The NWRA's mission is to protect, enhance and expand the National Wildlife Refuge System, lands and waters set aside by the American people to protect our country's diverse wildlife heritage. Over the years we have worked to make the Refuge System stronger and better able to address the growing challenges of conserving wildlife in our country. For more information, visit http://www.refugenet.org.

Evan Hirsche can be reached at (202) 333-9075.