Propelling a Partnership for Our Planet

Visitors stopping by The Nature Conservancy’s Nachusa Grasslands and Emiquon preserves will soon notice a new feature: charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs). The installation is part of a transformational partnership between TNC and Rivian, a U.S.-based electric SUV and truck company, that will help preserve biodiversity and fight climate change.

“Transportation is the single highest source of carbon emissions in the United States and TNC is focused on doing all we can to accelerate the conversion from fossil-fuel powered vehicles to EVs,” says Georgie Geraghty, deputy director for the Illinois chapter. “The EV chargers at Nachusa and Emiquon will directly help support this effort.”

The Illinois chapter—the home state for Rivian’s manufacturing facilities—is leading this North America initiative with Rivian in close cooperation with the Michigan chapter, World Office and TNC’s Global Sustainability Program. In the first year of the partnership, Rivian delivered four vehicles to TNC for use at its preserves in California, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Florida. This is the first step in helping TNC further electrify its fleet of vehicles used on preserves and lands managed across the United States—keeping pace to advance organizational climate goals. (Fleet emissions represent the third highest source of identified emissions across TNC’s portfolio.) TNC will also use these vehicles to test new technology and functionality across diverse terrain for real-world land management needs.

In addition, Rivian is helping to establish a cross-country EV charging network at TNC preserves throughout the United States, which includes the chargers at Emiquon and Nachusa. More than 50 locations are expected to be up and running by the summer of 2022. The charging network will serve as a gateway for EV drivers to experience nature first-hand, while charging for free. Bringing new visitors to TNC preserves via a complimentary charge can plant the seed for future engagement, as well as begin important conversations on climate change.

“One of the biggest challenges in confronting climate change is that less than half of Americans talk about it with family and friends, and we can’t fix what we don’t talk about,” says Geraghty. “Our hope is that the EV charging stations will help facilitate more of these conversations.”