BASF contributes $2,000 to Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Grant will support the refuge’s protection of imperiled species

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., November 17, 2006 -- BASF this week presented a $2,000 “Helping Make Communities Better” grant to the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. This is the third consecutive year BASF has made this contribution.

The refuge will use this funding to support its efforts to study the habitat needs of species designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as “threatened” or “endangered” and which occur on the 7,700-acre refuge located in Morris County, N.J. BASF’s contribution will continue to fund the refuge’s habitat management efforts for the federally endangered Indiana bat and the federally threatened bog turtle.

“We are very appreciative that BASF has continued its support of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge,” said William Koch, Refuge Manager. “BASF’s contribution will continue to go towards research efforts and restoration activities for such species as the bog turtle and the Indiana bat. This is a wonderful contribution for the recovery of these two species.”

“BASF is committed to responsible environmental stewardship as part of our ‘Sustainable Development’ principles,” said Jim Bero, BASF’s Senior Vice President, Ecology, Health and Safety. “We’re happy to support a wildlife refuge that is right in our own back yard. It provides area residents with a wonderful environment in which to appreciate and learn more about wildlife and their natural habitat.”

The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1960 to protect and manage habitat for migratory birds, to conserve wetlands and natural resources for national benefit and the obligation of international treaties, to allow incidental fish and wildlife recreation and for the conservation of endangered and threatened species. The refuge provides a nesting and feeding area for more than 244 species of birds. It is also home to 33 species of mammals including river otter and red fox, 21 species of reptiles such as the common snapping turtle and Eastern milk snake, and 18 species of amphibians like the blue-spotted salamander and Southern leopard frog.  From spring through fall, many different types of wildflowers can be enjoyed on the refuge.

The refuge is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, a collection of 545 National Wildlife Refuges, which is administered by the Department of Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Additional information can also be found on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website http://www.fws.gov/ and on the Great Swamp NWR website http://greatswamp.fws.gov/.

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BASF Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF employs about 16,000 people in North America and had sales of approximately $11.3 billion in 2005. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries, BASF’s intelligent system solutions and high-value products help its customers to be more successful. BASF develops new technologies and uses them to open up additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future. BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of more than €42.7 billion (approximately $50.4 billion) in 2005. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

For more information, contact:
Maureen Paukert
BASF
Florham Park, N.J.
Tel: (973) 245-6077
E-mail: maureen.paukert@basf.com