Georgia Wildlife Federation Names International Paper Forest Conservationist of the Year International Paper Recognized for Landmark Partnership to Protect Land Around Georgia's Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge MANSFIELD, Ga., June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- International Paper's contributions to protecting some 16,000 acres of forestland near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has earned the company the Georgia Wildlife Federation's 2005 "Forest Conservationist of the Year" award. The company, which voluntarily relinquished land acquisition rights to prevent future mining on the property, maintains a working forest on the land in a manner that ensures biodiversity, including the protection of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker habitat; maintains recreational opportunities; and helps the local economy. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020701/IPLOGO ) "We are honored to receive this important conservation award," said Dr. Sharon Haines, IP's director, sustainable forestry and forest policy. "International Paper's professional foresters and wildlife biologists are truly dedicated to wildlife conservation and to integrating conservation goals into our Sustainable Forestry Initiative(R) program." The Forest Conservationist of the Year Award, which was presented at a recent awards ceremony in Mansfield, Ga., recognizes International Paper's ongoing environmental conservation efforts in Georgia, particularly the company's landmark partnership with DuPont last year. International Paper, which had already donated nearly 17,000 acres to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge over the years, amended its original agreement with DuPont to further protect the land by permanently retiring all mineral rights on the property. Through this historic announcement, IP continued its long-standing commitment to prevent the land from being developed and to conserve biodiversity while managing a working forest. In December of 2004, International Paper also signed an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to create and manage 6,700 acres of feeding habitat for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, a federally-listed endangered species. The agreement is an extension of IP's commitment to stabilize the population of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and contribute to the further improvement of wildlife habitat in forested areas. "International Paper is a true leader in forest conservation in the state of Georgia," said Jerry McCollum, president and CEO, Georgia Wildlife Federation. "Their long-standing commitment to preserving our state's wildlife and natural resources and their commitment to working collaboratively with environmental organizations is truly outstanding and should serve as an inspiration to other companies across the region." Earlier this year, International Paper and its partners -- Environmental Defense, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Georgia Department of Natural Resources -- celebrated the five-year anniversary of International Paper's award-winning Red-cockaded Woodpecker Habitat Conservation Plan. Implementation of the landmark agreement has resulted in a dramatic increase in the Red-cockaded Woodpecker population at International Paper's Southlands Forest in Bainbridge, Ga. "Our Red-cockaded Woodpecker Habitat Conservation Plan serves as a model for public and private partnerships which can benefit imperiled species across the United States," said Dr. Haines. "The program's success is a tribute to the spirit of partnership and a shared commitment to environmental responsibility." Across the country, International Paper actively manages habitat for more than 30 federally listed threatened or endangered species. In the South, these species include the red-cockaded woodpecker, Red Hills salamander and American bald eagle. IP's conservation efforts have been honored with the U.S. Department of Interior's Conservation Science Award, the World Environment Council's Gold Medal for Corporate Environmental Achievement and the American Forest & Paper Association's Wildlife Stewardship Award. All of the conservation enhancement components and reporting procedures are compatible with the SFI(R) program. The SFI Standard is a voluntary forest certification approach for ensuring that high environmental quality is maintained on forest landscapes. The Georgia Wildlife Federation's Conservation Legacy Awards, which are presented annually in various areas of conservation, encourage the teaching and practice of the responsible management of Georgia's natural resources. The Georgia Wildlife Federation, a non-profit organization devoted to promoting the responsible use and management of Peach State natural resources, has recognized the efforts of outstanding individuals and companies at the annual Conservation Achievement Awards ceremony since 1963. International Paper's Forest Resources business, which is headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., manages the company's forestlands and wood fiber supply. IP is one of the largest private landowners in the U.S. with nearly 7 million acres of forestland and more than 10 million acres worldwide. The company is also the world's largest hardwood and pine tree seedling grower, producing nearly 400 million new trees each year. To date, IP professional foresters have grown more than 8.5 billion trees, and the company will soon plant its 7 millionth acre of forestland. Led by the Forest Resources business, IP is the first paper and forest products company in North America to formalize an agreement with NatureServe, a non-profit conservation group, to identify, protect and manage "Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value." International Paper (http://www.internationalpaper.com/) businesses include paper, packaging and forest products. As one of the largest private landowners in the world, IP professional foresters and wildlife biologists manage the woods with great care in compliance with the rigorous standards of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative(R) program. The SFI(R) program is an independent certification system that ensures the perpetual planting, growing and harvesting of trees while protecting biodiversity, wildlife, plants, soil, water and air quality. In the U.S. alone, IP protects more than 1.5 million acres of unique and environmentally important habitat on its forestlands through conservation agreements and land sales to environmental groups. And, the company has a long-standing policy of using no wood from endangered forests. Headquartered in the United States, IP has operations in over 40 countries and sells its products in more than 120 nations. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020701/IPLOGODATASOURCE: International Paper CONTACT: Rick Ouellette, +1-912- 655-8411 for International Paper Web site: http://www.internationalpaper.com/

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