STIHL and America’s state parks walk together
STIHL, Inc. announced the expansion of the “Hearts of STIHL” program, an initiative to care for the environment through the preservation of our nation’s state parks.
The 2022 Hearts of STIHL program will provide a $20,000 grant to a park in each of the nation’s six regions for a total of $120,000 this year. The regions are: Northwest, North-Central, Central, Southwest, Northeast and Southeast, said the firm.
“For more than 15 years, STIHL has been privileged to support America’s state parks and this program allows us to expand our efforts to help in the conservation and care of these national treasures,” said Roger Phelps, STIHL Inc. corporate communications manager.
Inspired by the staff of America’s state parks, the mission of Hearts of STIHL is to help those people and programs that are caring for the national treasures that are our America’s state parks, and preserve them for the enjoyment of all Americans, current and future, said the company.
The grants will be managed by the America’s State Parks Foundation, and parks can apply for funds to help projects related to sustainability, recovery, conservation, or environmental education programs.
“Hearts of STIHL is a natural extension of the STIHL commitment to caring for our environment and making it easier for people to work in and with nature,” said Phelps.
The program expands the company’s relationship with America’s state parks. For more than a decade the company has been a sponsor of the National Association of State Park Directors’ leadership school, providing scholarships for park personnel to attend.
“STIHL Inc. is a longtime supporter of America’s state parks, and we are eager to grow our relationship and offer grant funding to the state parks that need it most,” said Lewis Ledford, executive director at National Association of State Parks Directors.
“The funding and resources awarded will have a direct impact on the care and preservation of our state parks and it is our hope these efforts will inspire a new generation to appreciate the great outdoors,” said Ledford.
America’s state parks is an alliance of state park systems in all 50 states. The National Association of State Park Directors promotes and advocates for the state park systems of America in providing conservation and management of natural and cultural resources.
Virginia Beach-based STIHL Inc., the U.S. affiliate of the global STIHL Group, manufactures gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment in America, as well as chain saws.