05/01/2001 - The Mead Corporation Foundation Governing Committee has established the Sustainable Growth Initiative as a new special focus. The Foundation will commit up to $200,000 from its existing budget for the initiative during 2001. Funding levels for 2002 and beyond will be determined as part of the Foundation's normal budgeting process. The concept of sustainable development is relatively new, and clearly still evolving. It has different meanings for different people, organizations and communities. We believe the new initiative will enable Mead to provide leadership to promote awareness and understanding, public dialogue, and programs designed to support sustainable growth. The initiative will provide support for: * Research and collaborative efforts to improve the body of knowledge, awareness and understanding of forest ecosystems and sustainable forest ecosystem management; * Initiatives to educate young people about responsible environmental stewardship of natural resources; and * Projects that promote public dialogue and awareness related to sustainability issues. The Mead Corporation Foundation's Governing Committee has approved the first project. It's a partnership with the Michigan Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and Mead Paper's Michigan operations to address biodiversity and habitat issues throughout the Upper Peninsula. For information regarding other Foundation grants click here.