Partners in conservation, Axalta Coating Systems and Ducks Unlimited
de México, highlight conservation work across Mexico with trip to
protected mangroves in Celestun
PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid
and powder coatings, and a proud partner and supporter of Ducks
Unlimited Inc. and Ducks Unlimited de México (DUMAC), participated in a
two-day field and classroom experience in Celestun, Yucatan, Mexico in
February. The purpose of the trip was to witness first-hand the
challenges facing mangrove conservation and the subsequent restoration
work conducted by DUMAC.
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Participants at the two-day field and classroom “Mangrove Conservation Experience” with Ducks Unlimited de México in the Yucatan, Mexico (Photo: Axalta)
Sustainability and environmental responsibility are at the core of
Axalta’s mission. Through the “Mangrove Experience,” several Axalta
employees gained a better understanding of why it is critical for Axalta
to continue to support these efforts, and for other companies to become
involved. The Mangrove Experience curriculum is part of DUMAC’s Programa
Reserva conducted at its educational center in the Yucatan. Established
in 1989, the Programa Reserva has provided more than 550 representatives
from government agencies, universities, and non-governmental
organizations throughout Latin America with educational resources
related to conservation which they have taken back and applied to
enhance conservation projects in their home countries.
“Mexico accounts for about six percent of the world’s remaining
wetlands, approximately 8.2 million acres. Unfortunately, more than 36
percent of the world’s wetlands have been lost in the last 100 years,
primarily due to human activities,” said DUMAC Executive Director
Eduardo Carrera. “DUMAC has restored and enhanced more than 1.5 million
acres throughout Mexico in areas that are important for wintering
waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species. With partners like
Axalta, we can continue to do this work well into the future.”
The “Mangrove Experience” included a boat trip to the Celestun estuary
and a hike through red, black, white, and buttonwood mangroves to
promote a greater awareness of how the plant grows and why it is
essential to conserve mangrove wetlands. Mangroves play a vital role in
the ecosystem by protecting coastal areas from flooding, providing
habitats for marine and other wildlife, and by supporting managed
tourism which can help the economy.
“It was a wonderful experience that helped put DUMAC’s mangrove
conservation into perspective,” said Rodrigo Tajonar, Human Resources
and Corporate Affairs Director, Axalta Latin America. “Seeing the
threats facing mangroves helped the group understand how vital this
conservation effort is and how Axalta directly benefits the wildlife and
water quality in Mexico.”
DUMAC has classified 27 million acres of wetlands and uplands as part of
its Wetlands Inventory Program and 28 key wetlands for waterfowl in
Mexico are included in the Ducks Unlimited Continental Conservation
Plan. Axalta became a corporate partner with Ducks Unlimited in 2015
through a multi-year wetlands conservation program.
“Axalta is committed to its partnership with Ducks Unlimited and DUMAC,
and we offer our enthusiastic support for wetlands conservation
throughout North America and Mexico,” said Regina M. Tracy, Head of
Axalta’s Global Corporate Social Responsibility. “Sustainability is
fundamental to our business and we are proud to support and witness the
work that DUMAC and Ducks Unlimited do each day.”
About Ducks Unlimited Inc. and Ducks Unlimited de Mexico
Ducks Unlimited Inc., established in 1937, is the world's largest
nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's
continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Ducks Unlimited de Mexico
was established in 1974 to carry on that work in Mexico. Ducks Unlimited
has conserved more than 13.8 million acres across North America thanks
to contributions from more than a million supporters. Guided by science
and dedicated to program efficiency, the Ducks Unlimited organizations
work toward the shared vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies
with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our
work, visit www.ducks.org.
About Axalta Coating Systems
Axalta is a leading global company focused solely on coatings and
providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable
solutions. From light OEM vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish
applications to electric motors, buildings and pipelines, our coatings
are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enable the
materials we coat to last longer. With more than 150 years of experience
in the coatings industry, the 12,800 people of Axalta continue to find
ways to serve our 100,000+ customers in 130 countries better every day
with the finest coatings, application systems and technology. For more
information visit axalta.com and
follow us @axalta on Twitter
and on LinkedIn.
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Source: Axalta Coating Systems