Clean the World and Las Vegas Sands Partner with the University of Saint Joseph Macao to Continue Research on Nature-Based Solution to Climate Change

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 7, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Clean the World Foundation, a leader in global health dedicated to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and global sustainability, in partnership with Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS), has selected the University of Saint Joseph Macao (USJ), Institute of Science and Environment as a 2021 recipient for the Drop By Drop Project. The Drop by Drop Project, a collaboration between Clean the World Foundation and Sands, reinvests capital from Sands' water stewardship savings into innovative projects supporting water champions in its local regions.

The University of Saint Joseph Macao, a returning Drop by Drop Project recipient, will continue its investigation into enhancing local water quality using native wetland plants, especially mangroves, as a nature-based solution for climate change. Through research, USJ plans to survey and evaluate the existing coastal wetlands and other wetlands in their contribution to carbon sequestration and storage in Macao. Additionally, the University will plant approximately 500 wetland seedlings to help reinvigorate a portion of the wetland ecosystem.

In addition, USJ will conduct community awareness campaigns to promote nature-based solutions to combat climate change. In addition, USJ plans to engage more than 3,000 students and local Macao stakeholders to take concrete action in better adapting Macao to climate change impacts. The project is being managed by USJ researcher, Karen Tagulao.

"This second round of support from Clean the World and Sands through the Drop by Drop Project, will enable us to take further steps into our research, this time, with more focus on the role of mangroves as a nature-based solution for climate change adaptation and mitigation," said Karen Tagulao, USJ professor and researcher. "We aim to make a significant impact to the local community through our outreach program."

Clean the World Foundation and Sands kicked off the Drop by Drop Project at the end of 2019, and since that time the initiative has completed 12 field campaigns to analyze water quality in areas without mangroves, facilitated 1,180 community participants in the "Nature-Based Solutions for Water Quality in Macao" awareness campaign, oversaw 30 educational field trips to see the mangroves, led four open lectures and one exhibition for the scientific community and general public, and grew 180 mangrove seedlings in culture for water pollution uptake experiments.

"USJ has been an outstanding partner, and our continued investment in this research demonstrates our belief that its outcomes will have lasting impact," says Katarina Tesarova, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Sands. "The USJ team has inspired both the local community and our Team Members to understand how Macao's mangroves and wetlands can provide a nature-based solution to pressing environmental challenges."

USJ has been re-selected for the grant based on the project's alignment with the principal priorities of the Drop by Drop Project that include reinvigorating ecosystems by safeguarding and restoring aquatic ecosystems; leveraging technologies to create innovation and water efficiency solutions; increasing resiliency by strengthening community responses to floods, droughts, and water risks; and engaging communities on the vital importance of water.

"We are extremely excited to support USJ in this important research," says Shawn Seipler, Chairman of the Board, Clean the World Foundation. "The mission of the Drop by Drop Project is being fulfilled as sustainable solutions to the planet's greatest challenges are being discovered."

For more information on The Drop by Drop Project, please visit: http://cleantheworldfoundation.org/dropbydrop.

About Clean the World Foundation
Clean the World Foundation is an international development and global health nonprofit operating hygiene-focused emergency relief initiatives, and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) education programs, targeting vulnerable communities in the United States and around the world. Clean the World Foundation is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit sector of Clean the World's social enterprise responsible for all soap and hygiene kit distribution both domestically and globally as part of many of its comprehensive WASH programs. Clean the World Foundation engages volunteers, donors, and other outcome-focused organizations around the world to provide hygiene supplies and education curriculum to support its global health programs. Since 2009, Clean the World Foundation has served over 10 million individuals through its global WASH programs. A copy of the official registration and financial information for Clean the World Foundation may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by visiting https://www.fdacs.gov/ConsumerServices. For more information, visit us online: https://www.cleantheworldfoundation.org.

About Sands (NYSE: LVS)
Las Vegas Sands is the world's preeminent developer and operator of world-class Integrated Resorts. We deliver unrivaled economic benefits to the communities in which we operate. Sands created the meetings, incentives, convention and exhibition (MICE)-based Integrated Resort. Our industry-leading Integrated Resorts provide substantial contributions to our host communities including growth in leisure and business tourism, sustained job creation and ongoing financial opportunities for local small and medium-sized businesses. Our properties include The Venetian Resort and Sands Expo in Las Vegas, the iconic Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Through majority ownership in Sands China Ltd., we have developed the largest portfolio of properties on the Cotai Strip in Macao, including The Venetian Macao, The Plaza and Four Seasons Hotel Macao, The Londoner Macao and The Parisian Macao, as well as the Sands Macao on the Macao Peninsula. Sands is dedicated to being a good corporate citizen, anchored by the core tenets of serving people, communities and planet. We deliver a great working environment for our team members worldwide, drive social impact through the Sands Cares community engagement and charitable giving program and lead in environmental performance through the award-winning Sands ECO360 global sustainability program. To learn more, please visit http://www.sands.com.

About University of Saint Joseph
The University of Saint Joseph is a multicultural Catholic University of Macao, China. Founded in 1996 and modeled after top universities in Europe, the University is now a hub for international collaboration and ranks top-50 in the world for Quality Education (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2021). Students at the University of Saint Joseph, across degree programs, are trained in ethical leadership, environmental stewardship, and creative problem-solving. Through the University's Institute of Science and Environment, local ecosystems are studied in a global context leading to research, public education, policy consultation, and cross-disciplinary partnerships that contribute to the sustainable development of Macao and the surrounding region.

Media Contact

Christina Flores, Clean the World, 407-574-8353, [email protected]

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