The Walton Family Foundation invested $71.8 million in environmental initiatives in 2010. A majority of grants were made to organizations and programs that pursue lasting conservation outcomes in ocean and river systems to the benefit of both people and wildlife by aligning economic and conservation interests.

“It’s important to us to protect and conserve natural resources while also recognizing the roles these waters play in the livelihoods of those who live nearby.” – Scott Burns, director of the foundation’s Environment Focus Area

Environment Focus Area Investment Strategy

• Freshwater Conservation: Through our Freshwater Conservation Initiative, we work to ensure healthy and resilient communities of both wildlife and people in the Mississippi River Basin and the Colorado River Basin.

2010 Freshwater Conservation grantees include: Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, Nature Conservancy, Tamarisk Coalition and Pronatura Noroeste.

• Marine Conservation: Through our Marine Conservation Initiative, we focus on globally important marine areas and work to create networks of effectively managed protected areas that conserve key biological features, and ensure the sustainable utilization of marine resources – especially fisheries – in a way that benefits both nature and people.

2010 Marine Conservation grantees include: Conservation International Foundation, Ocean Conservancy, Environmental Defense Fund, Marine Stewardship Council and World Wildlife Fund.

In addition to freshwater and marine conservation grant making, the foundation also invested approximately $23 million in 2010 in organizations and programs for other environment-related efforts.