Anheuser-Busch Offers Support to Great Lakes Forever
Donation promised for special sales through September 2005.

Anheuser-Busch, one of the world's largest brewers and a top recycler of aluminum cans, is joining Great Lakes Forever to help protect the world's largest fresh water resource - the Great Lakes . The promotion seeks to raise awareness of the Great Lakes and to protect the valuable, but vulnerable natural heritage of the region. Anheuser-Busch will be distributing two types Great Lakes "awareness" posters to retail outlets in Wisconsin and Illinois and making a donation to the Great Lakes Forever program for every Michelob Golden Light and Michelob Golden Draft beer sold through September, 2005.

"Our greatest challenge is letting people know that the Lakes need our help now," notes Jeffrey Potter, coordinator of the Great Lakes Forever program. "People in the Great Lakes states are proud of the Lakes and feel a strong personal responsibility to protect them," he continues, "but the Lakes are so huge and have played such an important role in defining our region's identity and history, that sometimes it's hard to believe they're vulnerable."

According to Potter, the problems facing the Lakes are complicated. "Pollution is closing our beaches and contaminating our fish," Potter said. "Invasive species and irresponsible development are threatening the survival of our native wildlife. And private interests are pushing to actually buy and sell Great Lakes water for a profit. These are scary issues, but it's not too late to make a change for the better."

Anheuser-Busch became of the Great Lakes Forever program following a successful educational beer coaster effort tested in Wisconsin in 2004. Nearly 20,000 Great Lakes Forever coasters were used at local restaurants and bars all along Wisconsin 's Great Lakes' coastline, from Racine, through Milwaukee, to Door County, Bayfield and even into Duluth, Minnesota. Nearly every restaurant and bar approached with the coasters welcomed the idea. Their owners knew that protecting the Lakes was good for their lakeside establishments as well.

While the partnership with Biodiversity Project is a new one for Anheuser-Busch, one of the world's largest, oldest and most famous brewers, the company has supported conservation efforts for more than a century. "At Anheuser-Busch, protecting the environment is an important part of our legacy," said Paul Simmons, Michelob Golden Light brand manager.  "Partnering with Biodiversity Project on this promotional program only deepens our commitment to the environment and to the communities throughout the Great Lakes region where we do business."

Jane Elder, Biodiversity Project's executive director, was pleased to receive the brewers' support, noting "The Great Lakes are one of the wonders of the world, but the ecosystem is in trouble.  All of us can play a role in protecting and restoring our Great Lakes . We welcome and appreciate Anheuser-Busch's recognition that education is key to involving more citizens in this important challenge."

Click here for information about ABEnvironment and Great Lakes Forever

Click here for information about other Great Lakes Forever program initiatives