18 May 2001: The world's largest carmaker is to donate $10 million to restore and protect an endangered Atlantic Coast rain forest in Brazil. According to environmental group The Nature Conservancy the GM donation is the largest ever contribution to preserving forests by a major industrial corporation.
The funds will be used to buy 30,000 acres (12,000 hectares) of coastal rain forest in southern Brazil which was cleared decades ago for farming and raising Asian water buffalo. It is part of the Guaraquecaba environmental protection area.
Brazil's Atlantic forest, stretching from eastern Paraguay to northeastern Brazil, is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, but only 7 percent remains today.
It is home to 171 of Brazil's 202 endangered animal species, including the jaguar, yellow-throated caiman, tapir, red-tailed parrot and the black-faced lion tamarin. New species are still being discovered there, including an unknown monkey and a tiny marsh antbird spotted four years ago.
"GM is very pleased to partner with the Nature Conservancy, SPVS and the surrounding communities to restore and protect this important part of Brazil's natural heritage," said Dennis Minano, GM vice president for environmental matters.
