Thanks to an innovative program championed by Ford Motor Company, thousands of wild horses with an uncertain future will now be placed in long-term care to live out their lives in bucolic preserves throughout the country. Today, Ford is recognized as the 2006 Outstanding Take Pride Supporter by the U.S. Department of the Interior and Take Pride in America for the company’s partnership in the “Save the Mustangs” program.

Save the Mustangs, established in May 2005 by Ford in collaboration with the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Take Pride in America, builds public awareness for the plight of America’s wild horses and helps fund their adoption by non-profit sanctuaries. In little more than one year, the program has raised funds to support the adoption of 2,000 wild horses, and has educated more than one million visitors through an informational website, www.savethemustangs.org.

“Ford is honored to be the recognized among the many generous Americans who are committed to preserving our nation’s land and wildlife,” said Ziad Ojakli, Ford Group Vice President- Corporate Affairs. “For over 40 years the Mustang has been an important icon for Ford. This award recognizes our successful partnership with the BLM and Take Pride to help preserve this American legend.”

Take Pride in America received nominations across 32 states of individuals and groups that donate time and resources to volunteer programs to enhance America’s public land. The panel of judges scored the nominations by the measurable impact of their results, collaborative partnerships and their demonstration of the mission of Take Pride in America. Ford Motor Company was honored with the top award for Outstanding Take Pride Supporter for 2006.

Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, joined by other senior Federal agency representatives will take part in the award ceremony held at the U.S. Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C.

“It’s an honor to recognize Ford’s support and commitment to the Save the Mustangs program with a Take Pride National Award,” said Dirk Kempthorne, U.S. Secretary of the Interior. “The partnership between Ford and the BLM and Take Pride in America is a great symbol of the public and private sector joining together to preserve our public lands and cultural history