DS Smith Charitable Foundation donates $1 million to The Nature Conservancy
The donation is set to support three freshwater projects, fulfilling one of the global environmental organisation's main priorities, with our own commitment to protecting nature, supporting biodiversity and managing water responsibly.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global environmental nonprofit organisation that has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organisations in the world. It is committed to conserving 1 million km of river systems and 30 million hectares of lakes and wetlands to improve the quality and amount of water available to freshwater ecosystems and to communities.
Our grant of $1m will focus on three projects in the UK, Croatia and the United States. In the UK, the Norfolk Water Fund will receive a $390,000 donation, $540,000 will help protect and restore the Mrežnica, Tounjčica and Rječina Rivers in Croatia, and $160,000 is earmarked for the Prater’s Mill Dam channel realignment project in Georgia, USA.
Wouter van Tol, Head of Sustainability & Community Affairs, commented: “We are thrilled that the DS Smith Charitable Foundation is making this commitment to TNC to support its mission. Sustainability is core to DS Smith’s purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world and environmental stewardship is embedded in our Now and Next sustainability strategy. In 2024 we made good progress on water management plans and biodiversity programmes at our paper mills and 100% of our in-scope mills and packaging sites now have water management plans. Reusing and recycling water multiple times and through efficient water treatment ensures the safe return to the natural environment to continue the water cycle.”
“The UK is home to globally important chalk streams and wetlands including the River Cam, Wensum and Norfolk Broads that the donation to The Nature Conservancy will support over the next two years. Furthermore, vital restoration at Prater’s Mill Dam, Georgia, USA and the Mrežnica, Tounjčica and Rječina rivers in Croatia will benefit both the natural environment and ensure communities have healthy freshwater ecosystems.”
Rob Cunningham, Europe Resilient Watersheds Program Director for TNC, said: “Our work in Norfolk is part of TNC’s global efforts to demonstrate the role that nature restoration can play in improving water security for people and wildlife. This support from DS Smith will enable us to continue to protect vital habitats suffering from water over use and pollution while unlocking economic benefits for the community.
