Partnership between ASU and city, county, and tribal leaders strengthens regional sustainability efforts.

As part of Sam’s Club’s commitment to give back to the communities it serves, company executives presented Arizona State University with a $60,000 grant for its Sustainable Cities Network. The contribution is a market grant, with money pooled from 13 Sam’s Club stores in the Phoenix-Tucson-Prescott area.

“The Sustainable Cities Network represents the cities we serve, and it works to promote sustainability, which is one of the major focuses of our grants,” said Keith Lowe, club manager for the Gilbert store.

“We want to be a partner in making the Sustainable Cities Network a better organization, offering our expertise as a large company in cooperation with what ASU is doing as a large university,” he added. Sam’s Club’s sustainability goals include creating zero waste and operating with 100 percent renewable energy.

Designed to be a bridge between ASU’s research and technical capabilities in sustainability and the front-line challenges facing cities, the Sustainable Cities Network's membership now includes 25 Arizona cities and towns, three Native American communities, Maricopa County, the Maricopa Association of Governments, and ASU’s Global Institute of Sustainability as leader and convener.

Working together, Network partners plan to make sustainability a core value in city planning, policy, and operations; further, they will systematically share knowledge and explore innovative practices to aid in accelerating the Valley toward national leadership on sustainability.

“Sam’s Club will add a very valuable business perspective to the Sustainable Cities Network. This will strengthen our collective efforts to make sustainability central to our choices and will help Arizona become known for its innovative, green cities,” said Rob Melnick, executive dean of ASU’s Global Institute of Sustainability.

About Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club is a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., (NYSE:WMT). The first Sam’s Club opened its doors in Midwest City, Okla., in 1983. Today, Sam’s Club serves more than 47 million U.S. Members with locations nationwide and in Brazil, China, Mexico and Puerto Rico. For more information about Sam’s Club, visit www.samsclub.com.

About Philanthropy at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and the Wal-Mart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Wal-Mart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009, Wal-Mart, and its domestic and international Foundations, gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

About the Global Institute of Sustainability/Arizona State University

The Global Institute of Sustainability is the hub of ASU’s sustainability initiatives. The Institute advances research, education, and business practices for an urbanizing world. Its School of Sustainability, the first of its kind in the US, offers transdisciplinary degree programs that advance practical solutions to environmental, economic, and social challenges. For more information, visit http://sustainability.asu.edu. Follow us on Twitter at asugreen.

About the Sustainable Cities Network

The Sustainable Cities Network is a bridge between ASU’s research and technical capabilities

in sustainability and the front-line challenges facing cities. The Network is a vehicle for city, county, tribal leaders, and ASU to collaborate on best practices, strengthen efforts, and coordinate responses, toward ensuring a sustainable region. For more information, visit http://sustainablecities.asu.edu.

Media Contacts:

Karen Leland, 480-965-0013 / karen.leland@asu.edu

Michelle Schwartz, 480-965-9008 / michelle.schwartz@asu.edu

Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University

Susan Koehler, 479-277-8066 / susan.koehler@samsclub.com

Sam’s Club