07 December 2010

Holden and Landcare Australia have officially launched H.E.L.P – Holden Environment Landcare Partnership, a program spanning four states that aims to rebuild native habitats affected by bushfires.

The launch was marked by Holden employees volunteering at Wildhaven Wildlife Shelter - a project supported by Landcare Australia that will now benefit from H.E.L.P.

Wildhaven Wildlife Shelter has been a wildlife sanctuary for over 20 years and was destroyed in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. Most of the animals at Wildhaven perished.

The H.E.L.P initiative will ensure Australian native animals can be safely rehabilitated before being returned to their habitats.

Holden Director, Energy and Environment, Richard Marshall said this was an exciting initiative that had the potential for GM Holden to build further on its Diamond Sponsorship with Landcare Australia.

“Our sponsorship of Landcare Australia has continued since 2002 because of Holden’s strong belief in seeing our environment survive and thrive for future generations,” Mr Marshall said.

“This is also a wonderful opportunity for Holden to support the habitats of flora and fauna that have suffered due to bushfires.

“We have worked with Landcare for over eight years to protect the environments around our facilities in Victoria and South Australia and we are very pleased to extend that partnership to look after additional areas in need of help.”

Landcare Australia CEO Heather Campbell said H.E.L.P had the potential to make a significant impact on the environment.

“The support from Holden to help rehabilitate native habitats will also restore biodiversity in four affected communities. Holden’s commitment to Landcare projects is not only financial; their contribution includes staff getting their hands dirty by volunteering at some of the project sites.” said Heather Campbell.