The only thing that equals Ward's passion for racing is his intense passion for the environment. Growing up, Ward spent much time in the great outdoors and often lived off the land for days on end at a place called the COVE, which his wildlife foundation owns and manages today. He contributes to multiple causes related to the environment and his philanthropy has penetrated programs ranging from K-12 education to landowner awareness of environmental federal stewardship programs. In 1996, he established the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation, which manages a 2000-acre wildlife refuge system of protected land as well as 8.5 miles of riverfront on the scenic Staunton River. This project has served as a national model for conservation.

Ward is a leader in environmental education and advocacy, resource protection, and habitat restoration. He has dedicated his life to reducing pollution, improving water quality, advancing recycling efforts, restoring habitat, and replenishing the land often taken away by development. The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation has been recognized both nationally and statewide by leaders at every level of government. The Foundation has also partnered with several other organizations since its inception to further its conservation and environmental efforts.

Finally, Ward is committed to global environmental policy issues from renewable energy to enabling landowners to access federal and state programs that protect their land in perpetuity and allow for the land to be passed down from generation to generation with minimal financial impact. Ward speaks regularly at the state and national levels and is often called upon by dignitaries to offer advice on policies that affect all of us. There are also numerous publications about his work.

Conservation Efforts of Ward Burton & The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation:

• Founder of the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation
• Recipient of the Governor's Award for Clean Air Champion
• USDA radio spokesman
• Key note speaker at the White House's Cooperative Conservation Conference
• 2006 Fundraiser of the Year
• Recipient of the Virginian Award from the Virginia Broadcasters' Association
• National spokesperson for the U.S.F.W.S. Wildlife Refuge Centennial, 2003-04
• National spokesperson for the NRA
• Spokesperson for the Virginia Park System
• Involved with the 4-H clubs in Alabama and Virginia through PSAs and assisting 4-H clubs to conduct wildlife enhancement programs on Foundation land
• Capital campaign chairman for the Conservation Education Center at the Appomattox 4-H Camp, Appomattox, Virginia - this $15 million campaign requires many meetings with donors, state leaders, and related fundraising events.
• 2004 Spokesperson for the Capital Christmas Tree Campaign in Washington, DC
• Partner with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to create awareness for the need to protect and create additional wetlands in America
• Spokesperson for the 2004 Save Our Salmon campaign - an alliance of six fishing organizations in the Pacific Northwest organized to create spawning habitat for salmon and steelhead for recreational and commercial fishing
• Spokesperson and celebrity draw to an annual fundraiser for Return to Nature, Inc., a non-profit conservation educational organization that takes the conservation and stewardship message into the elementary schools reaching over 210,000 students nationwide
• Spokesperson for National Hunting and Fishing Day
• Spokesperson for National 4-H Shooting Sports
• Promotional work for Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Wildlife Forever for membership drives and animal re-introduction
• PSAs for the Alabama DNR and the West Virginia DNR to promote their work in conservation, hunting safety programs, and Hunters for the Hungry
• PSAs for Wildlife Mississippi for membership drives and events
• Former board member of Wildlife Forever
• Assisted the Hoosier Heritage Youth Foundation to establish an organization providing conservation education to youth
• Hosted hunting and fishing events with ill and terminally ill children from the United Special Sportsmen Alliance and Carilion Health System
• Honorary co-leader of the Virginia Natural History Museum in Martinsville fundraising efforts
• Life member of the National Rifle Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Quality Deer Management Association, and the National Wild Turkey Federation
• Partnerships with Beretta, VASF Chemical Company, and ACF Foresters

• 1995 winner, AC Delco 400 in Rockingham, North Carolina
• 2000 winner, Mall.com 400 in Darlington, South Carolina
• 2001 winner, Southern 500 in Darlington, South Carolina
• 2002 winner, Daytona 500
• 2002 winner, New England 300 in Loudon, New Hampshire
• Who's Who of drivers at Darlington multiple track wins
• Seven Bud Pole awards
• Holds active track record at Darlington (28.295 seconds/173.797 mph), March 22, 1996