ATLANTA, Nov. 14, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Southern Company has signed an agreement with the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) to support the Federation's Energy for Wildlife program, a membership-based certification program for utility and energy companies with the primary goal of enhancing wildlife habitat on company managed, owned or influenced lands. Under the agreement, Southern Company will work closely with the Federation to maintain and improve wildlife habitat through an Integrated Vegetation Management plan on its rights of way.
"Southern Company is a longstanding supporter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and its programs. By joining Energy for Wildlife, Southern Company has gone the extra mile to solidify its commitment to wildlife and establish itself as an environmental leader in not only the southeast, but the entire country," said Jay Jordan, coordinator for the NWTF's Energy for Wildlife program.
Scott Vance, national wildlife biologist and Energy for Wildlife supervisor, stated: "There are millions of acres of utility rights of way that are ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife and native plant species, including many that are currently at risk due to loss of specific habitat types. Most companies have vegetation management plans for their rights of way, but in many instances, a comprehensive wildlife enhancement component is missing. Energy for Wildlife will help companies balance the production and transmission of reliable and safe energy with wildlife enhancement and environmental sustainability."
To be certified as an Energy for Wildlife member, Southern Company will work closely with the Federation to meet specific performance measures toward developing an overall plan to enhance wildlife habitat. Upon meeting those requirements for two years, Southern Company will gain certification. As part of its long-term environmental commitment, Southern Company will strive to continue to meet the Federation's performance guidelines every two years thereafter to retain its certification in the program.
"Energy for Wildlife is another opportunity for us to continue our environmental commitment by using environmentally responsible practices that promote the protection and production of wildlife, and soil, air and water quality," said Dwight Evans, Southern Company executive vice president of external affairs. "Through our partnerships with a variety of leading conservation groups, we are taking measurable, active steps to preserve, protect and improve the natural environment in local communities."
As part of its overall environmental stewardship effort, Southern Company actively partners with organizations that foster environmental improvement. These local and national organizations emphasize research, conservation, preservation and wildlife protection. For example, Southern Company's utility subsidiaries have partnered with the state chapters of The Nature Conservancy and provided gifts of more than $2.6 million since 1996. Southern Company has also donated to the Conservancy tracts of land along various southern waterways and has committed volunteers and financial support for habitat restoration.
In addition, Southern Company and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation have recently partnered to initiate conservation projects for Southern Birds in their natural habitats. Also, Southern Company has partnered with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to manage the 3,000-acre Tallulah Gorge State Park and protect this environmentally sensitive area. The park, located in the northeast corner of Georgia, is among more than 35,000 acres Southern Company manages in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is a national, nonprofit, educational conservation organization with over 475,000 members working for the restoration and wise management of the wild turkey and other valuable natural resources. The Federation is dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and preservation of the hunting tradition. Organized in 1973, the NWTF leads the way in not only managing and restoring wild turkeys, but also providing funding for research and management for a variety of other game and non-game wildlife. It is one of the fastest-growing, largest and most respected conservation organizations in the world.
With 4 million customers and nearly 37,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO) is the premier super-regional energy company in the Southeast and a leading U.S. producer of electricity. Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states, a fast-growing competitive generation company, an energy services business and a competitive retail natural gas business, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices that are 15 percent below the national average. Southern Company has been named No. 1 on Fortune magazine's 2002 "America's Most Admired Companies" list in the Electric and Gas Utility industry. Southern Company has more than 500,000 shareholders, making its common stock one of the most widely held in the United States. Visit the Southern Company Web site at www.southerncompany.com.