THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OHIO CHAPTER LAUNCHES PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN IN NORTHEAST OHIO TO INCREASE MEMBERSHIP AND MONETARY SUPPORT

The Nature Conservancy Ohio Chapter successfully launched its public awareness campaign in Northeast Ohio last month as part of a targeted membership campaign. Residents in and around Cleveland, Akron and Canton are being reached with new broadcast ads featuring Paul Newman airing on cable, local news and radio and outdoor advertising on billboards. Public relations efforts include increasing awareness of The Nature Conservancy Ohio Chapter as part of the worlds largest conservation organization, one that works locally and globally to save the last great places" for future generations.

Columbus, OH -- April 4, 2003 -- The Nature Conservancy Ohio Chapter successfully launched its public awareness campaign in Northeast Ohio last month as part of a targeted membership campaign. Residents in and around Cleveland, Akron and Canton are being reached with new broadcast ads featuring Paul Newman airing on cable, local news and radio and outdoor advertising on billboards.    Public relations efforts include increasing awareness of The Nature Conservancy Ohio Chapter as part of the worlds largest conservation organization, one that works locally and globally to save the last great places" for future generations.
As part of the spring 2003 awareness campaign, The Nature Conservancy has posted billboards throughout urban areas of Northeast Ohio. The billboards introduce people to The Nature Conservancys effort to save the last great places" here in Ohio. Radio and television PSA scripts, narrated by supporter Paul Newman, evoke the landscapes The Nature Conservancy has helped protect, offering the satisfaction and hope that comes from knowing that these places will remain pristine forever.
The Nature Conservancy Ohio Chapter has developed this campaign to increase membership and involvement in the organization. The Ohio Chapter depends on monetary support from Ohio members to purchase and maintain numerous preserves throughout the state. Nine event dates throughout April and May have been scheduled to provide numerous opportunities for volunteers to visit one of the preserves in Northeast Ohio and participate in a variety of clean-up projects.

The Ohio Chapter Of The Nature Conservancy                   -2-

Saving the last great places in Ohio is something everyone can be involved in as a member or volunteer with the organization," said Rich Shank, director of The Nature Conservancy Ohio Chapter. The Nature Conservancy is dedicated to preserving Ohios natural gems and we encourage more people to realize the beauty of these last great places that distinguish our state, the Midwest and the nation," he added.

Annual Meeting April 26
The Nature Conservancy Ohio Chapters Annual Meeting will be held Saturday, April 26, 2003, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Lodge at Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio. The Conservation Leadership Award and other annual awards will be presented. Guest speakers, scheduled at about 11:15 a.m., will include John Lounds, executive director of The Nature Conservancy Canada and Tony Grundhauser, program director for the Canada program. They will discuss past and future partnership efforts, including protection of the Lake Erie Islands. The annual meeting will be followed by a field trip to nearby Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve.
For more information about The Nature Conservancy, membership and volunteer opportunities, contact the Ohio Chapter headquarters in Dublin at 614-717-2770 or visit the Ohio web address at www.nature.org/ohio.

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The Ohio Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, founded in 1958, focuses on preserving long-term biological diversity throughout Ohio and its surrounding ecoregions. The Ohio Chapter has protected more than 30,500 acres of Ohios finest wetland, forest and prairies through ownership, management or project assistance. The Ohio Chapter owns and manages 35 preserves totaling more than 18,000 acres throughout Ohio, works with more than 37,000 members who annually support the organization and strives to protect all species and natural communities that are representative of the region. The Nature Conservancy, created in 1951, is the largest non-profit conservation organization in the world. The organization works globally with a diverse group of partners to protect the lands and waters needed to preserve plant, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on earth. Access The Nature Conservancy at www.nature.org/ohio

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