Today, we celebrate World Environment Day. Led by the United Nations Environment Program, the movement brings the global community together in the spirit of advancing environmental advocacy — engaging millions of people, thousands of organizations, and governments from more than 150 countries every year. At Ford, this day, alongside Earth Day, National Volunteer Week, and Global Caring Month, reinforces our commitment to the planet and the people and communities we serve.

This spring, Ford employees around the world gathered for organized volunteer efforts, ranging from community cleanups to children’s education and beyond. These efforts happen year-round and reflect our values as a company. Here are a few highlights:

Building Food Sovereignty in Detroit

Ford volunteers rolled up their sleeves at Keep Growing Detroit’s urban farm, pitching in with seasonal preparations, cleaning, organizing, and planting in support of local food growth and sharing. In total, employees prepared 2,000 seed packets and spent 90 hours weeding, planting, and tending to the farm — directly contributing to building a food sovereign city.

For volunteers like Ford employee Danielle Carey, the experience extended far beyond the dirt under her fingernails. “Volunteering with Keep Growing Detroit was such a meaningful reminder of how powerful community and sustainability can be when they come together," she said. "I'm incredibly grateful that Ford gives us opportunities like this to give back, connect with others, and support a mission that helps both people and the environment thrive."

Building Water Awareness at Struandale Engine Plant

To address the ongoing water scarcity issue in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Ford volunteers launched a campaign aimed at highlighting the value of water resources and reinforcing that small, everyday actions can collectively make a significant difference in conserving water.

As part of the day, volunteers created a water awareness video, which was shared across the whole facility through display screens in all common areas, and delivered in-person education around water conservation. Furthermore, about 150 employees participated in the "did you know" water pop quiz, teaching employees how to be better water advocates.

Local Ford volunteer leader Konanani Mushapho and her colleagues recognized the significance of the moment: "Although much of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, less than 1% is available for human use. When people understand the reasons behind conservation, they are more likely to take action. The simple lessons we promote in the workplace can be carried into our daily lives, helping to reduce overall water demand in our communities."

Cleaning Up Oakville Assembly Complex

To address debris and trash along the Oakville Assembly Complex (OAC) roadsides, Ford volunteers organized an Earth Day cleanup, turning a local need into an opportunity to give back. As a result, Ford employees from the OAC removed 300 pounds of trash along roads surrounding their workplace, creating a cleaner and more beautiful environment around their complex.

Ford volunteer Christine McQuade told us just how much the effort meant to her and her teammates. “Sustainability is important at OAC and in Oakville,” she said. “Removing trash, specifically plastic, which contaminates our grass and soil, is important to boost ecological recovery and pride in our modernized facility."

Sparking a Passion for the Planet at Salina Elementary School

Equipping students with knowledge about local environmental challenges is essential to driving sustainability efforts forward for the next generation. So, local Ford employees got to work.

During Salina Elementary School’s Earth Day Expo, they gave talks to dozens of students on the all-electric F-150 Lightning, oversaw a butterfly education activity, and participated in school tours led by students who are part of the Outdoor Wilderness Leaders Club and National Junior Honors Society. It was an opportunity to support a school in Dearborn, Michigan, with immediate proximity to Ford’s industrial operations.

Ford volunteer Dave Perko understood the assignment. "Interacting with Salina youth to teach them about electric cars and the environmental benefits was incredibly rewarding,” Perko said. “Having raised kids myself and coaching small kids in sports, I am very accustomed to needing to engage kids and keeping their attention.”

Beautifying Belle Isle

To beautify and support the green spaces at beloved Belle Isle in Detroit, volunteers from Ford and Carhartt gathered at the park in the middle of the Detroit River to assemble picnic tables and Adirondack chairs, tend to newly planted trees across the island, and help clean the area. Ford volunteers helped assemble new recreation areas and broadly supported infrastructure maintenance to Detroit’s iconic "green lung."

“We are actively engaging in direct, community-driven sustainability actions.”

Todd Walton, Ford employee volunteer

Ford employee Todd Walton recognized the value of giving back: "By caring for the island's ecosystems and building welcoming spaces for families to gather, we are actively engaging in direct, community-driven sustainability actions."

It is easy to celebrate the environment and our actions on milestone moments like Earth Day or World Environment Day. But advocating for environmental and social progress is core to Ford’s DNA and is a year-round effort on our Road to Better.

Cassie Mayrand-Burney serves as the Global Director of Ford’s Environmental Quality Office.