National Geographic and TOMS Partner to Promote Awarene of Big Cats

WASHINGTON/LOS ANGELES (May 14, 2015)-National Geographic, one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations, and TOMS, the One for One shoes and accessories company, have partnered to support National Geographic's big cats conservation efforts. Together, they will develop the TOMS and National Geographic Big Cats Collection, a special-edition line of footwear, sunglasses and a backpack inspired by National Geographic's Big Cats Initiative. The collection will be available this fall at TOMS retail locations, select retailers and on Toms.com.

Big cats in the wild are disappearing at an alarming rate and may disappear altogether within our lifetime. Since 2009, National Geographic's Big Cats Initiative has worked to reverse this decline through on-the-ground conservation and education projects. The new special-edition line with TOMS has been created to promote awareness of this critical issue.

Our Big Cats Initiative is one of the cornerstones of National Geographic's work in animal conservation and wildlife protection, said Krista Newberry, senior vice president of Licensing, North America, for National Geographic. We are pleased to partner with TOMS to raise awareness of big cats and to further our commitment to protecting these majestic creatures for generations to come.

I am excited to announce our partnership with National Geographic as part of the TOMS Animal Initiative. It's been a dream of mine to work with big cats and this incredible organization. I look forward to sharing the new collection and continuing our journey together to drive awareness, said Heather Mycoskie, TOMS chief animal lover.

Each design in the TOMS and National Geographic Big Cats Collection will feature National Geographic branding and imagery from the Society's image archive. National Geographic's net proceeds support its nonprofit work in conservation, exploration, education and cultural preservation.

To find out more about the Big Cats Initiative's work to stop the decline of lions, leopards, tigers and other big cats, visit causeanuproar.org/TOMS.

About the National Geographic Society

National Geographic is a global nonprofit membership organization driven by a passionate belief in the power of science, exploration and storytelling to change the world. Each year, we fund hundreds of research, conservation and education programs around the globe. Every month, we reach more than 700 million people through our media platforms, products and events. Our work to inspire, illuminate and teach through scientific expeditions, award-winning journalism and education initiatives is supported through donations, purchases and memberships. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com and find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

About TOMS

In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in a village in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One .

Realizing that One for One could serve other global needs, Blake launched TOMS Eyewear in 2011 to help restore sight to persons in need with every purchase of sunglasses and optical frames. In 2014, TOMS Roasting Co. launched with the mission to provide clean water to developing communities with the purchase of premium coffee.

The most recent TOMS give is tied into the TOMS Bag Collection, which launched in early 2015 and helps to provide safe births to mothers and babies in need through skilled birth attendant training and birth kits.

TOMS is in business to help improve lives. We identify global needs and create products to help address them. This simple idea is what makes us more than a company - we're a movement that's continually evolving.

LINK:	http://press.nationalgeographic.com/2015/05/14/national-geographic-and...
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