Ashland Global Holdings Inc. recently shared details regarding several sustainability-related activities. The company has increased its support of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and will donate $25,000 dollars towards TNC’s STEM youth engagement Nature Lab and an additional $25,000 toward the organization’s Plant a Billion Trees by 2030 forest restoration project.

TNC’s Nature Lab hub for youth curriculum provides teachers, students, and families customizable, interactive lesson plans to explore and understand nature. The curriculum platform has 550 scientists helping students learn how nature works while inspiring young people and bringing greater equity to environmental education.

“Nature Lab is all about inspiring young people and bringing greater equity to environmental education,” said Kate Ireland, director of youth engagement for TNC. “We want every young person to be able to find their place in conservation and to have the tools they need to advocate for change in their own communities and beyond.”

Ashland is also continuing its support of the Plant a Billion Trees forest restoration effort. The company’s donation ensures approximately 10,000 trees are planted in key regions where the company operates and there is need for reforestation and sustainable farming education. This includes Brazil, China, Mexico, and the U.S.

Separately, Ashland has committed to using certification standards set by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and/or Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). FSC- and PEFC-certified and controlled wood assures consumers that products can be traced back to responsibly managed sources. Ashland reports that these programs embody its conscious decision to review and rethink its business practices with the goal to becoming a nature-positive company that positively impacts climate change, biodiversity, and just social practices.

“There is no Planet B,” said Guillermo Novo, chair and CEO of Ashland. “We are a vital part of an ecosystem that must be protected for future generations. We believe increasing the number of students pursuing advanced degrees in STEM careers is vital to the health of the planet and to our long-term success as a company. We will continue working with partners to broaden the participation of women and minorities because the more diverse the team, the better the problem solving. Responsibly solving for a better world means innovating while being nature positive. It means doing business in a way that protects and conserves nature, while also giving back to the planet.”

Additional details are available at www.ashland.com, www.nature.org/en-us, https://fsc.org/en, and www.pefc.org.