Fragile Earth

We're trusted to tread lightly in landscapes all over the globe.

An Indomitable Spirit, and inquiring mind and a caring nature
Land Rover's Fragile Earth commitment is a global promise to ensure that our actions minimize environmental damage. Land Rover is committed to protecting the environment and we ensure sound environmental practice in all of our activities, from the design of our vehicles, in our manufacturing processes and through our commitment to providing instruction in responsible off-road driving. We have a Sustainable Development policy, which details our environmental commitments, to which everyone works, ensuring environmental care is incorporated at all stages and in all activities.

Within this guide you will find the "Land Rover Driving Code", providing valuable advice on protecting the environment for the future. We believe that future generations should be able to enjoy what we enjoy and that everyone can play their part in caring for the environment. As such, we have extended our commitment to environmental protection by participating in global conservation projects that offer long-term benefits. We are proud to sponsor these organizations (detailed within this guide) who share some of our passion for the great outdoors.

Driving your Land Rover should be an exhilarating experience - and one that you can enjoy responsibly if you follow a few simple guidelines:

Rights of access vary from country to country. Always check the position and seek permission to cross private land.
Follow existing routes where possible.
Respect the peace and tranquillity of others.
Drive carefully to minimise erosion and damage to the land. Avoid causing ruts - they form rain channels that lead to erosion.
As slow as possible, as fast as necessary' will get you through most obstacles and minimise environmental impact.
Animals first! All animals can be startled by a 4x4 vehicle, so be prepared either to proceed very slowly or to switch off your engine and wait. Let them move off at their own pace.
If your vehicle has a diff-lock, engage it before venturing onto low traction surfaces [mud, sand etc) to minimise wheel spin and damage to the ground. If your Land Rover is equipped with Terrain Response™, simply turn the dial to the appropriate setting.
Make sure your vehicle is fully prepared for the journey. Take the right tools and supplies, check regularly for any leaks, and take care to avoid spilling oil, fuel and hydraulic fluids.
Even when not driving, be mindful of the environment. For example, wash vehicles away from water courses, take litter home with you and use eco-friendly cleaning materials.
When preparing to go back on the road, check lights, tyres and bodywork and clean number plates. Drive slowly at first to prevent damage to other road users from mud and stones flying off the tyres.

Land Rover are proud to sponsor these organisations

BORN FREE
The Born Free Foundation is an international wildlife charity working throughout the world to prevent captive animal suffering and protect threatened species in the wild. The Born Free Foundation rescues injured and abused iions and tigers, translocates elephants, provides sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees and conserves endangered species such as the Ethiopian Wolf and the Eastern Lowland Gorilla. The Foundation operates practical, hands-on projects in many countries including Southern Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, India, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, the USA and Eastern Europe. www.bornfree.org.uk

CHINA EXPLORATION AND RESEARCH SOCIETY
The CERS is active in preserving fragile environments and endangered wildlife. The Society has worked on preserving the rare Black-necked Cranes for many years, and work has just started on the Snubnosed Monkey in the Tibetan region. Their work also embraces cultural conservation projects such as preserving fragile Buddhist murals, and helping to perpetuate the matrilineal Moso people's culture and architecture. More famously, CERS were credited with the discovery of a new source of the Yangtze River. Understanding the link between driver, vehicle and terrain not only allows CERS to collaborate with some of the world's most exciting conservation teams; it gives them access to corners of the globe most people never see. After all, the unknown warrants exploration but a fragile earth deserves enduring protection. www.cers.org.hk

ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY [WITH IBG)
The Royal Geographical Society (with The Institute of British Geographers] is the Learned Society representing Geography and geographers. It was founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical science and has been among the most active of the learned societies ever since. The largest geographical society in Europe, and one of the largest in the world, the RGS-IBG operates at a regional, national and international scale. The Society supports research, education and training, together with the wider public understanding and enjoyment of Geography. www.rgs.org

BIOSPHERE EXPEDITIONS
An award-winning, not-for-profit organisation running wildlife expeditions for people wishing to do something active and altruistic in conservation. Part of the excitement is being close to nature and having direct involvement in its conservation. Expeditions are not tours for eco-tourists but genuine wildlife projects placing ordinary citizens alongside scientists in the field.
Currently, they are focusing on wolf conservation in the polish Carpathian Mountains and the Black Sea region of the Ukraine. Bird conservation, particularly macaws, on the Amazon in the Peruvian jungle is an on-going project. They are also involved with a cheetah-collaring project near one of our Land Rover Lodges in Namibia, South Africa. www.biosphere-expeditions.org

Rob Timcke, Land Rover Experience, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa
"Eco-tourism is a means to sustain land and the environment in its natural state by responsible utilisation. The Land Rover Experience programme contributes tremendously to this sustainable utilisation of remote areas by creating income for tribes and people living within the areas we utilise."

How Man Wong, CERS Founder
How Man Wong, the Society's founder and President, has been exploring and chronicling China's remote regions and its' disappearing cultures for almost 30 years. Nominated by Time magazine in 2002 as one of their 'Heroes of Asia', he was involved in the award-winning project in the Arjin Mountain Nature Reserve to protect the Tibetan Antelope's calving grounds. "Land Rover has been crucial in getting us out to the remotest corners of China-these are the most dependable vehicles."

Clare Fothergill, Environmental Auditor
"We undertake environmental audits of event activities to assess the potential impact and establish control plans to reduce the possibility of damage".

For details of current Land Rover sponsorship programmes - both locally and globally - visit www.landroverexperience.com Land Rover is accredited to the international environmental management standard IS014001.