The North Carolina Chapter of The Nature Conservancy accepted a brand-new, 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid crossover SUV today at the Charlotte International Auto Show. Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak handed the keys to Mike Horak, associate director of TNC’s North Carolina Chapter, on behalf of Saturn and General Motors.

The Vue Green Line hybrid, which boasts the highest highway fuel economy (32 mpg) of any SUV in the industry, will be used by Conservancy staff to travel to and from various projects throughout the state. It is the third vehicle GM has donated to the North Carolina Chapter of the Conservancy; and the 184th vehicle overall.

“Saturn is pleased to live its values by providing this Vue Green Line to the North Carolina Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and, in the process, raise the community’s awareness of our commitment to the environment,” said Lajdziak. “This is another example of GM’s ongoing global partnership with the Conservancy – a partnership that successfully demonstrates how a healthy economy and a healthy environment can go hand-in-hand.”

Since 1977, The Nature Conservancy’s North Carolina Chapter has sought to preserve the state’s natural diversity and has protected nearly 700,000 acres, from the Alligator National Wildlife Refuge to Grandfather Mountain. In North Carolina, it currently owns and manages more than 60 preserves encompassing more than 117,000 acres. Conservancy scientists and land stewards will use the donated Saturn Vue Green Line for land protection activities across the state.

“Given The Nature Conservancy’s mission to protect critical natural areas, it is important that we ‘walk the talk’ when it comes to the vehicles we drive. When we do need vehicles for our work, it only makes sense that we drive fuel-efficient models. Saturn’s donation of a new Vue Green Line hybrid will help us carry out our conservation mission and at the same time be good environmental stewards,” said Katherine Skinner, executive director of the North Carolina Chapter.

A compact, five-door crossover vehicle with European-inspired design and sporty ride and handling, the 2008 Saturn Vue is the latest Saturn model to showcase the brand’s new design character and intensified focus on driving characteristics. It also reinforces Saturn’s commitment to safety by offering a comprehensive list of safety-enhancing features.

The affordable hybrid system on the Vue Green Line combines sophisticated controls with an electric motor/generator mated to a 2.4L four-cylinder engine and a modified four-speed automatic transmission. The system saves fuel by providing an electric power assist during acceleration; shutting off the engine at idle; early fuel cut-off during deceleration and capturing energy through regenerative braking. This affordable hybrid system enables EPA estimated fuel economy of 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.

The Nature Conservancy and General Motors

In 1994, The Nature Conservancy and General Motors began a relationship that was unprecedented for both organizations because of its size and scope. General Motors was drawn to the Conservancy because its collaborative approach promotes a healthy economy and a healthy environment. It also generates innovative initiatives within local communities that preserve our landscapes, help local economies and save precious places around the world.

During the past 13 years GM has donated more than $10.3 million in cash and 184 vehicles to aid the often-rugged conservation work of The Nature Conservancy. GM’s funding supports many different projects within the Conservancy and GM’s donated vehicles are serving on preserves in all 50 states and in 20 other countries.

In addition, GM has provided more than $10 million to The Nature Conservancy to restore and protect about 30,000 acres of endangered land in the Atlantic Rainforest Restoration Project in Brazil. To date, GM’s total donation to the Conservancy totals more than $25 million.

GM employees also have been very generous. Through the employee-giving program, employees are allowed to donate a portion of their pay to The Nature Conservancy. Since 1998, GM employees have pledged and donated more than $1 million.