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HSBC Conference Participants to Volunteer to Improve Local Wetland Preserve
Jan 7, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nearly 400 HSBC conference participants to volunteer to improve local wetland preserve Who: Nearly 400 HSBC North-America executives who are visiting Lee County for a conference are partnering with Lee County Parks & Recreation and Conservation 20/20 staff. What: HSBC-North America volunteers will remove the non-native invasive tree called melaleuca from the wetland areas of a recently acquired Lee County preserve. When: 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, 2008 Where: Imperial Marsh Preserve (Galloway Tract), Lee County, Florida. The site is roughly seven miles east of Interstate 75 on Corkscrew Road (exit No. 123). Why: As part of its long-standing green commitment and community engagement, HSBC partners with local organizations on environmental and educational projects for executives at conferences so they can experience first hand the rewards of making a difference in the communities they serve or visit. Contacts: Betsy Clayton, (239) 826-4606; Kathy Cahill, (239) 707-0876 Background: Melaleuca was introduced to Florida about 150 years ago as a method of draining land so it could better be used for agriculture and development. Not only was it exceedingly effective at lowing the water table, it was extremely invasive and took over many areas of South Florida, replacing natural vegetation and destroying wildlife habitat. The removal of melaleuca and initial restoration of the Galloway Tract of the Imperial Marsh will benefit the preserve and surrounding area by allowing the natural plant communities to flourish, ultimately improving the ecosystem processes that affect Lee County's water and air quality. Conservation 20/20 & Lee County The C20/20 Program is a willing seller program in which land owners nominate their own property to be acquired by Lee County. Land is paid for with funds from a self-imposed tax Lee County voters approved in 1996 to preserve green spaces. Today, the program incorporates 34 preserves and more than 18,500 acres. Learn more at www.conservation2020.org. Conservation 20/20 falls under the umbrella of Lee County Parks & Recreation, which manages everything from preserves and beaches to community centers and regional parks. The agency is among only 35 parks & recreation departments nationwide that have received certification from Commissions for Accreditation of Parks & Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). Check www.leeparks.org for more information. About HSBC-North America HSBC - North America is one of the Top 10 financial services companies in the U.S. with assets approaching $300 billion. HSBC - North America includes all of HSBC's U.S. and Canadian businesses. The company's businesses serve nearly 60 million customers in five key areas: personal financial services, consumer finance, commercial banking, private banking and corporate investment banking and markets. Financial products and services are offered under the HSBC, HFC and Beneficial brands. ###
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