BALTIMORE, Md. - The Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Environmental Performance Track presented on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2005, a special honor of recognition to Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT). This acknowledgement honors BFNT’s facilities in Oklahoma City, Okla., and Warren County, Tenn., for a commitment to outstanding environmental performance and wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration as members of both Performance Track and WHC. BFNT’s Oklahoma City and Warren County plants are charter members of the EPA NEPT program, which recognizes companies with a proven track record of improving environmental performance.

Both facilities have established WHC-certified wildlife habitat programs that link natural habitats and provide more diverse native ecosystems while involving the plant employees and local community volunteers in conservation projects and educational outreach. The honors were presented during WHC’s 17th Annual Symposium, Shades of Green, in Baltimore, Md., and were accepted by Phil McCowan, Environmental Manager, BFNT Oklahoma City, and Sean Fisher, Senior Environmental Engineer, BFNT Warren County.

“Our entire Bridgestone Americas family is especially proud of our Oklahoma City and Warren County facilities for receiving these awards from the extraordinary partnership between EPA’s Performance Track program, which recognizes top environmental performance, and the Wildlife Habitat Council, which certifies management of land for the benefit of wildlife. These two facilities are shining examples of excellent environmental performance through both reducing our footprint and increasing benefits to our communities by sharing our stewardship of natural resources,” said Tim Bent, Executive Director, environmental affairs, Bridgestone Americas. “We are inspired by the environmental commitment shown by the Oklahoma City and Warren County plants as well as our other Performance Track member plants and those who are working on similar wildlife projects.”

“The unification of conservation and industry, already well established at the Wildlife Habitat Council, serves as a model for protecting natural resources while emphasizing collaboration and community involvement. This multidisciplinary view draws on knowledge and skills from a range of disciplines working together for a better environment. Congratulations to BFNT for its commendable efforts towards the restoration and enhancement of wildlife habitat. Together, we are committed to being good stewards of the earth,” said Bill Howard, WHC President.

“Working in partnership, the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) and EPA’s National Environmental Performance Track program are creating opportunities for public and private facilities to reduce their impact on the environment, protect human health and safety, and preserve wildlife habitat. After reviewing the notable accomplishments of our respective members in these critical areas, EPA and WHC are pleased to commend two exemplary Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC facilities for their outstanding achievements in environmental management and wildlife habitat restoration,” said Daniel J. Fiorino, Director, EPA’s National Environmental Performance Track.

“We believe these two facilities deserve special recognition for both setting and achieving challenging environmental goals as Performance Track members,” said Fiorino. “In addition, their ambitious habitat restoration and land improvement projects can serve as models for current and future organizations that work closely with Performance Track and WHC to achieve exemplary environmental results and enhance wildlife habitat in their communities.”