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Nature Conservancy Announces New Board Chairman

John Morgridge Takes Over for Henry M. Paulson, Who Last Week Was Confirmed As U.S. Treasury Secretary

ARLINGTON, VA — July 06, 2006 — Today, The Nature Conservancy announced that John Morgridge, former President and CEO of Cisco Systems, Inc., will become the global conservation organization’s new Board of Directors chairman, effective immediately.

A member of the Conservancy’s Board since 1998, Morgridge succeeds Henry M. Paulson, who stepped down as Board chairman following last week’s Senate vote confirming him as the new U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.

“Like his predecessor Hank Paulson, John is a tireless advocate for conservation in the business arena and beyond,” said Steve McCormick, President and CEO of The Nature Conservancy. “John’s passion for the Conservancy’s mission and his constant drive for the organization to do more and work smarter will serve him well in this important role.”

Morgridge joined Cisco Systems, a worldwide internet networking company, in 1988 as President and CEO, growing the company from $5 million to more than $1 billion in sales. In 1990 he took Cisco public, and in 1995 he became Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors. In that role, he continues to champion a range of philanthropic and corporate citizenship initiatives on behalf of the company, such as the importance of addressing basic human needs and providing better access to education around the world.

Morgridge also is deeply involved with Stanford University, where he serves as a trustee, teaches at its Graduate School of Business and serves on the business school’s Advisory Council.

Morgridge also serves on the boards of CARE, Interplast and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF).

For More Information:

• Biography: John Morgridge, Chairman of the Board of Directors
  John Morgridge is Chairman of Cisco Systems, Inc. and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Nature Conservancy.
• Press Release: Nature Conservancy President Salutes the Visionary Leadership of Henry Paulson
  Steve McCormick, president and CEO of The Nature Conservancy highlighted the leadership of out-going Nature Conservancy Board Chairman Henry M. Paulson, who today was nominated by President Bush to be the next Secretary of the Treasury.
• About Us: Leadership of The Nature Conservancy
  Steven J. McCormick, President and CEO is a conservationist nationally recognized for pioneering innovative conservation strategies. John Morgridge is Chairman of Cisco Systems, Inc. and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Nature Conservancy.
• About Us: Board of Directors of The Nature Conservancy
  The Board is a diverse group of leaders who bring a variety of talents, experiences and expertise to the governance of the Conservancy. The Board holds ultimate legal and fiduciary responsibility for Conservancy operations.
• About Us: Governance of The Nature Conservancy
  The Nature Conservancy is a leading international, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the diversity of life on Earth. We hold paramount the trust and responsibilities placed in us by our donors, members, colleagues, partners and the public.