(Note: Interesting ... TNC is now 'partnering' with one of the 'largest private forest landowners in the world,' IP owning over 9 Million Acres. Seems monopolistic, to control that much land, and now that the two are 'in cahoots,' doesn't this seem like a monopoly?)

June 20, 2003

Savannah, Georgia (PRNewswire-FirstCall) - In a first ever of its type agreement, International Paper and The Nature Conservancy have entered into a multi-state cooperative management agreement.

The Gulf Coastal Plain Unique Areas Cooperative Management Program Agreement (GCPUACMPA) will also include Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks' Natural Heritage Program in Mississippi. Under the Agreement, all parties will work together to conduct research, develop management plans and undertake management actions that will enhance and protect sites with unique ecological features found within 1.8 million acres of International Paper's forestlands in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.

"One part of International Paper's commitment to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program is to protect sites of ecological significance in our forests," said Jim Fitzgerald, regional manager of the Gulf Operations for IP's Forest Resources business. "Collaborative efforts such as this agreement with The Nature Conservancy and the Natural Heritage Programs allow us to learn how best to manage rare and unique communities on these sites through dialogue and research."

The Nature Conservancy and the Mississippi Natural Heritage Program will work with International Paper to identify rare habitats and potential imperiled species sites. They will also have access to conduct management and research activities on sites enrolled in the program.

"Our natural and wildlife resources and their habitats are important to all Mississippians," said T. J. Jennings, director of Law Enforcement, Wildlife, and Fisheries. "Our research efforts and that of International Paper and others will go a long way in making sure our wildlife resources are around for future generations to enjoy."

"The Nature Conservancy is pleased to partner with International Paper in this exciting cooperative effort," said Robbie Fisher, director of The Nature Conservancy's Mississippi Chapter. "We applaud International Paper for recognizing the important ecological features on some of their lands and for entering into a meaningful research and management plan which recognizes that ecological significance."

International Paper's Forest Resources business, which is part of the company's Forest Products group, is headquartered in Savannah, Ga. The business manages the company's forestlands and wood fiber supply. IP is the largest private landowner in the U.S. with 9 million acres of forestland and the world's largest tree seedling grower, producing more than 400 million new trees each year. All of the company's U.S. forestlands are third-party certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative program. And, IP uses no wood from endangered forests.

International Paper ( http://www.internationalpaper.com ) is the world's largest paper and forest products company. Businesses include paper, packaging and forest products. As one of the largest private forest landowners in the world, the company manages its forests under the principles of the SFI(R) program, a system that ensures the perpetual planting, growing and harvesting of trees while protecting wildlife, plants, soil, air and water quality. Headquartered in the United States, International Paper has operations in over 40 countries and sells its products in more than 120 nations.

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