Verizon Provides Grants for the Construction of Several More Osprey Nesting Towers - in Atlantic and Cape May Counties

OCEAN CITY, N.J. - After ospreys flocked to several of the nesting towers Verizon built in Monmouth and Ocean counties last year, the company is providing funding for the construction of four more such towers in the state.

The announcement was made Thursday (Oct. 23) at the dedication of the latest nesting tower, built in Ocean City.  Mayor Salvatore Perillo and other local dignitaries attended the event.

"We all know if you build it, they will come," said Dennis Bone, president of Verizon New Jersey.  "In this case, ospreys and their offspring keep coming and coming - to the delight of area residents and others concerned about fostering and protecting the environment."

"Several of the osprey towers that we've helped build in New Jersey are now occupied, and we are proud to play a role in building even more," Bone said.

In addition to providing the funds for the new nesting tower in Ocean City, Verizon is providing grants of $500 each to Dennis Township, Linwood and Stone Harbor for materials, construction, installation and maintenance of towers in those communities.  In most cases, the towers are built by local environmental commissions in conjunction with municipal employees and community volunteers.

This project will assist efforts to help to bring back and protect the osprey, which continues to be listed as a threatened species in New Jersey. Verizon recognizes the need to provide returning young ospreys nesting opportunities near their place of birth.  Over the past 18 months, Verizon has provided funding for nine other nesting towers in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

"With more than 18,000 Verizon employees living and working in New Jersey, this is a great example of how our company gives back to those communities  the company serves and where our employees live," said Jennifer Young, external affairs director for Verizon's Southern New Jersey region.  "This is just one of several environmental initiatives at Verizon that are helping to protect and conserve wildlife and open space."

In addition to providing funding for the towers, Verizon also will provide and pay for appropriate environmental education signage at the various osprey nesting sites.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 69 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 228,600 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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