Secretary Norton Announces Toyota is Recipient of 2004 National Take Pride in America Corporate Award

WASHINGTON - Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton today announced Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc. is the recipient of the 2004 National Take Pride in America Award in the corporate category.

"For cooperative conservation to best achieve results for America, successful collaboration between public, private, federal, state and local groups is essential," Secretary Norton said. "Toyota's continued support of National Public Lands Day is helping us to rally more Americans to become citizen stewards - encouraging them to take this one day out of the year to give back to our public lands. Thank you for encouraging citizen volunteers to make a difference."

Presented annually, Take Pride in America's national awards recognize outstanding volunteer projects and efforts in a variety of categories. The corporate category award is presented to the corporation or business whose volunteer event or activities best promote the goals and mission of Take Pride in America. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc. is honored for its ongoing commitment to National Public Lands Day. This year marks the company's sixth anniversary as the national corporate sponsor for the nation's largest, one-day, hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance America's public lands.

"Through an outstanding Toyota/National Public Lands Day partnership, Toyota continually demonstrates its deep commitment to the protection and enjoyment of America's public lands and the outdoors," said Kevin Coyle, president, National Environmental Education and Training Foundation. "Thousands of Toyota employees actively share in the stewardship, giving their time, sweat and personal energy to benefit the public places we all treasure."

"Environmental stewardship has been one of Toyota's core principles since the company began," said Dian Ogilvie, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc., senior vice president and chief environmental officer. "It is gratifying to see our employees - who make dozens of environmental decisions for us every day - join together on National Public Lands Day to make a difference in communities all across the country. On behalf of the thousands of volunteers that make NPLD a success, it is an honor to receive this award."

Since 1999, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc., has been the national corporate sponsor for National Public Lands Day. Last year alone, more than 2,200 Toyota personnel volunteered 7,644 hours of their time under the banner of "Helping Hands for America's Lands" at 26 locations in 14 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Toyota volunteers removed illegal fire rings, created habitats for the endangered California least tern birds, built boardwalks, constructed bridges, erected fences and removed exotic plants to make way for native ones. In addition to funding, Toyota donates supplies and equipment as well. By supporting National Public Lands Day, Toyota has done much to nourish bonds between the public sector and local communities based on stewardship and caring for our public lands.

2004 National Take Pride in America winners in the faith based, federal volunteer program, individual, local government, nonprofit, public/private partnership, school, state and youth categories were announced in August, and the recipient of the outstanding charter partner award will be announced Sept. 21. All award winners will be honored at a Sept. 21 ceremony in Washington, D.C.

About Take Pride in America
Take Pride in America is a national partnership that encourages, supports and recognizes volunteers who work to improve our public parks, forests, grasslands, reservoirs, wildlife refuges, cultural and historic sites, local playgrounds, and other recreation areas. With 100 charter partners, Take Pride involves federal, state and local governments; conservation, youth and recreation groups; and top national corporations and organizations. Together, we protect and enhance the special legacy all Americans share - our public lands that cover more than one in every three acres across the nation. For more information visit: www.TakePride.gov.

About National Public Lands Day
National Public Lands Day is managed by the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation. Chartered by Congress in 1990, NEETF is a private, nonprofit organization that develops and supports environmental learning programs to meet social goals and builds partnerships among government, the private sector and non-governmental organizations.

About Toyota
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc. is the sales, marketing, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion in the United States, marketing products and services through a network of 1,415 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers in 49 states. Established in 1957, TMS and its subsidiaries are also involved in distribution logistics, motorsports, R&D and general aviation. The company's main Web site is www.toyota.com.