PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE:DPS) and The Nature Conservancy are teaming up on several environmental stewardship projects designed to protect vital water resources in Texas.
DPS has pledged $1 million over the next four years to support ongoing restoration and conservation activities in the watersheds of the Trinity and Brazos Rivers, the Texas Gulf Coast and the Edwards Aquifer, which serve the state’s three largest metropolitan areas: Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.
The company’s relationship with The Nature Conservancy aligns with its commitment to support environmental sustainability initiatives, according to Tina S. Barry, DPS executive vice president of corporate affairs.
“The availability of abundant, clean, fresh water is an increasingly important issue in Texas and beyond. Addressing this issue and all its complexities requires action from both the public and private sectors,” said Barry. “Supporting The Nature Conservancy’s water conservation efforts here in Texas will benefit our consumers, neighbors and nearly 4,000 employees in the state, as well as our business operations.”
DPS’s headquarters, three of its 21 manufacturing plants and several warehouses and distribution centers are located near the conservation projects that the company’s funding will support, according to Laura Huffman, Texas state director of The Nature Conservancy.
“It is exciting to see an iconic Texas company take an active interest in expanding watershed protection in some of Texas’ most stunning landscapes -- from North Texas prairies and the Texas Hill Country to the rolling grasslands along the Gulf Coast,” said Huffman. “These projects cover nearly 7,500 acres of land near major metropolitan areas populated by a combined 15 million residents, and DPS’s involvement will help ensure these fast-growing areas, including their operations, will continue to have access to clean, reliable water.”
Dr Pepper Snapple Group’s investment in Texas water will fund restoration, management and outreach activities at five of The Nature Conservancy’s most critical preserves in the state:
- The Clymer Meadow Preserve, where The Nature Conservancy is conserving 1,400 acres of pristine blackland prairie, one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. The tall grass prairie at Clymer Meadow is vital to the Trinity River watershed, holding and filtering rainwater and contributing to sustained stream flows that feed the Trinity and its numerous reservoirs.
- Texas City Prairie Preserve and Nash Prairie Preserve, located on separate tracts of land south of Houston. The Texas City Prairie Preserve sits on Galveston Bay and the Nash Prairie Preserve is located along the Brazos River. Both projects aim to protect the coastal grasslands that are vital to the natural resilience of the Gulf Coast ecosystem. Coastal grasslands can absorb and disperse water from storms and hurricanes, while providing crucial habitat for native and migratory birds.
- Cibolo Bluffs Preserve and Love Creek Preserve, two preserves near San Antonio that contribute to the protection of the Edwards Aquifer, the primary source of drinking water for San Antonians and other nearby residents. The Cibolo Bluffs Preserve sits over the aquifer’s recharge zone, while Love Creek feeds the Medina River, which helps replenish the southern portion of the aquifer.
Ongoing work at these five preserves includes management and restoration of prairies, streams, wetlands and forest lands; conservation research and monitoring; and education and community outreach. It also consists of a Native Seed Initiative, through which the Conservancy gathers native prairie grass and wildflower seeds cultivated on the preserves and provides these to landowners, state agencies, developers and partners to further protect the health of the Trinity and Brazos watersheds.
About Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) is a leading producer of flavored beverages in North America and the Caribbean. Our success is fueled by more than 50 brands that are synonymous with refreshment, fun and flavor. We have 6 of the top 10 non-cola soft drinks, and 11 of our 14 leading brands are No. 1 in their flavor categories. In addition to our flagship Dr Pepper and Snapple brands, our portfolio includes 7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, Clamato, Crush, Hawaiian Punch, Peñafiel, Mott's, Mr & Mrs T mixers, Rose's, Schweppes, Squirt and Sunkist soda. To learn more about our iconic brands and Plano, Texas-based company, please visit DrPepperSnapple.com. For our latest news and updates, follow us at Facebook.com/DrPepperSnapple or Twitter.com/DrPepperSnapple.
About The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy of Texas (nature.org/texas) maintains more than 30 ecologically important preserves and conservation projects statewide and, with partners, has conserved more than 800,000 acres of land and water in Texas. The organization has also led significant marine habitat restoration efforts along the Gulf of Mexico that benefit terrestrial and aquatic wildlife and help protect human communities from hurricanes and tropical storms. In addition to a dozen initiatives benefiting Texas rivers and streams, the Conservancy also works with private landowners and municipalities, such as the cities of San Antonio, Austin and San Marcos, to protect critical freshwater resources like the Edwards and Trinity aquifers. Over the past 45 years, the Conservancy has worked with state and federal agencies to create and expand beloved public areas, including Enchanted Rock State Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park and Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge.