To warm the hearts of social activists during this difficult economic recession, the Ford Lio Ho Motor Co Ltd (
Yesterday, the company distributed the awards to eight groups in recognition of their contributions to promoting an awareness of environmental protection and the preservation of Aboriginal culture.
Among the eight winners of the 2001 Ford Conservation and Environmental Grants was the Taipei City Natural Ecology Foundation, which won the top award of NT$1 million.
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES
The foundation says it will use the money to establish a wetland ecological system at the Taipei City Zoo. In this artificial wetland, ecologists will be able to implement conservation projects for the endangered Taipei Red Frog (台北赤蛙, Rana taipehensis) and study the behavior of the species.
Other winning proposals were Huang Yu-wen's (
The company yesterday also granted five student groups NT$20,000 each for projects on a diverse range of issues, including protecting bears, saving wetlands, recycling reusable items, protecting habitats for paradise fish (台灣鬥魚) and enlightening mentally retarded children on environmental issues.
Since 1983, the Ford Motor Company has sponsored about 15,000 ecological conservation projects worldwide. Its branches in Taiwan, China and other countries in Southeast Asia began sponsoring similar awards last year.
At the award ceremony yesterday, government officials said more contributions to the preservation of Aboriginal culture and the ecological environment are necessary.
"Technology makes people's lives more comfortable. However, people need to use wisdom to preserve precious and fragile ecology and culture," said Yohani Isqaqavut, Chairman of the Council of Aboriginal Affairs.
Jeffery Nemeth, Vice President of Ford Lio Ho Motor Co, said at the award ceremony that the company is delivering a message to the public about its concern for the environment.
"This year, we received five awards from government agencies for our efforts to improve the process of car manufacturing in such a way as to avoid the producing pollution," Nemeth said.
Other topics presented by finalists for the awards targeted other hot environmental issues, including the treatment of hazardous industrial waste and the demand for renewable sources of energy.
"We've considered expanding the categories for awards next year in order to encourage other social groups devoted to ecological conservation and environmental protection," said Daphne Chen (
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