American automobile pioneer Ford Motor Company, along with its local partner Future Automobiles (Pvt) Limited presented the US$20,000 Ford Conservation and Environmental Grant 2014 to the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL) for the third consecutive year to promote peace and reconciliation through nature conservation and environmental awareness.

“This funding will allow us to build on our past work and use all of our knowledge and experience to contribute to a better future for our country and its people,” FOGSL Founder Prof. Sarath Kotagama expressed his jubilation.The winning project this year is titled ‘Exemplary Citizens through Conservation-Creating Ambassadors of Peace and Reconciliation,’ and will link communities and students through nature studies; especially focusing on observing birds.

This is an extension of FOGSL’s previous projects implemented in the south and north of the country, and the programme will be conducted through a series of workshops at the Sinharaja World Heritage Site.Ford Motor Company Asia Pacific Emerging Markets Communications Manager Matt Moran said t hat FOGSL won the grant due to the uniqueness of its proposal.

Since the launch of the grant programme i n 1983, Ford has awarded over US$ 5 million in grants to over 100 environmental projects in 60 countries.
Ford has played a pivotal role in advancing environmental initiatives in the Asia Pacific and is dedicated to preserving the environment for future generations by providing ingenious environmental solutions that contribute to a sustainable planet.Ford is a global automotive industry leader from Michigan, USA, and maintains 186,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide.