Budweiser invites adults to help choose ‘Conservationist of the Year’

ST. LOUIS  – Budweiser and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) are asking adults across the nation to help choose the 2012 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year. For an 18^th consecutive year, Budweiser and NFWF have partnered to highlight individuals who are making lasting contributions in wildlife conservation.

 “Budweiser has a long history of supporting organizations and individuals who are actively making a difference to conserve and protect wetlands, wildlife and the environment,” said Bob Fishbeck, senior manager from the Budweiser brands. “We want to encourage adults to visit our Web site and not only vote for their favorite nominee, but learn more about the organizations they represent and the great work they are doing to help preserve our wildlife resources.”

Consumers can vote for one of the award’s four finalists by visiting Budweiser.com by Jan. 6. This year’s nominees are Fred Bryant of Kingsville, Texas; Don R. Johnson of Festus, Mo.; Bill D’Alonzo of Greenville, Del. and David Ramsey of Unicoi, Tenn. Each nominee is profiled on Budweiser.com. The top choice for the 2012 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year selects a conservation organization to receive a single $50,000 grant from Budweiser and NFWF to support their priority conservation projects; the runners-up each will choose a conservation organization to receive a $5,000 grant.

“We want to congratulate each of the finalists in this year’s Budweiser Conservationist of the Year program,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. “Each of these individuals has an impressive track record in helping to preserve wildlife and promote conservation in their communities and around the country.”

The 2012 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year will be formally recognized on Jan. 18, 2012, during the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas.

A nonprofit organization established by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation sustains, restores and enhances the nation’s fish and wildlife. By teaming leadership conservation investments with those of public and private partners, the Foundation maximizes measurable conservation benefits. Since its establishment, the Foundation has awarded 11,600 grants to more than 3,800 organizations in the United States and abroad, while leveraging more than $576 million in federal funds into $2.05 billion for conservation. For more information, visit www.nfwf.org.

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.3 percent share of U.S. beer sales to retailers. The company brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser-Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer. Anheuser-Busch is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and has been a leading aluminum recycler for more than 30 years. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the leading global brewer, and continues to operate under the Anheuser-Busch name and logo. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.