Nature Conservancy and Balsams Resort Announce Partnership

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. March 13, 2009

CONCORD, NH, March 13, 2009 - The Nature Conservancy of New Hampshire and The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel, a historic destination resort managed by global hospitality and food service leader Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, today announced an innovative and groundbreaking partnership to preserve the natural communities of New Hampshire and the Great North Woods. This partnership is unprecedented for both organizations and demonstrates the value of integrating conservation action and corporate philanthropy.

"We believe The Balsams is setting a terrific precedent by being the first resort in New Hampshire to partner in this way with a conservation organization," said Daryl Burtnett, state director for The Nature Conservancy of New Hampshire. "We are so grateful to The Balsams for launching this exciting partnership and to their guests for their contributions to our conservation work in the Granite State."

The Balsams will begin inviting guests to make a voluntary contribution of $2 per night to The Nature Conservancy of New Hampshire who will utilize the funds to invest in conservation in the state. The non-profit conservation organization plans to offer employees and guests education as it relates to the Conservancy's work to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities of the state and will highlight this innovative partnership to its membership.

"For the last decade, Delaware North has had an effective, award-winning environmental management system in the form of GreenPath(R)," said Uwe Roggenthien, general manager of The Balsams. "In addition, we work diligently to tell the many stories of our property to all of our guests. We believe the relationship we have forged with The Nature Conservancy of New Hampshire will strengthen both efforts," he said.

With a long track record of working in the North Country dating back to 1987 with the Conservancy's acquisition of Norton Pool in Pittsburg, N.H. and the establishment of the 10,330-acre Vickie Bunnell Preserve in 2000, The Nature Conservancy has been working to conserve habitat close to the resort for more than 20 years. "We are impressed with the work The Balsams is doing to protect our planet and to inform others about the need to do the same," said Daryl Burtnett.

When he visited The Balsams recently and saw the strength of Delaware North's environmental commitment and its focus on guest education, Daryl Burtnett recognized an opportunity for a special partnership. "It seems clear that one of the main reasons people love The Balsams and visit the North Country is because of its beautiful natural setting and abundant wildlife," said Burtnett.

"From individuals to corporations, we all rely on our natural landscapes-and the rewards of protecting our state's resources can be reaped by all of us," said George Bald, Commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development. "I applaud The Nature Conservancy and The Balsams Grand Resort for innovatively developing a partnership that will help our state's tourism economy while at the same time preserving our state's quality of life."

"The Great North Woods of New Hampshire is proud of its rich rural character providing visitors near and afar opportunities to recreate and admire its natural surroundings," said Gloria Bunnell, Executive Director of The North Country Chamber of Commerce. "We couldn't be more pleased by The Balsams long-standing commitment to conservation in the North Country and the partnership it has forged with The Nature Conservancy to help foster economic opportunities for the region," said Bunnell.