4.17.2006 ET

(CSRwire) SAN FRANCISCO- Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) has contributed $75,000 to Earthwatch Institute in celebration of Earth Day and to help foster environmental awareness and science education, consistent with the Company pledge to increase contributions to environmental non-profit groups.

"This investment in Earthwatch will enable 10 teachers across the country to learn first hand about conservation issues in a natural setting," said Don Dana, head of Corporate Properties for Wells Fargo and Earthwatch board member who has participated in three Earthwatch expeditions. "They will in turn share their experience with their students and communities fostering greater environmental thoughtfulness in our future leaders."

Sponsored teachers will work with leading scientists doing field research -- from studying jaguars and wolves in Brazil's grasslands to monitoring coral reef health in Thailand. When they return from their expeditions, teachers apply the Earthwatch model for research to conservation projects in their local communities. Classrooms across the nation benefit from Earthwatch's "Live from the Field" program, where students can follow the adventures of teachers supported by Wells Fargo in the field through live video conferencing, daily web updates, and interviews with the scientists, as well as through photos, videos, and audio clips.

"This is a wonderful way to celebrate Earth Day," says Dr. Alan Fortescue, Director of Education at Earthwatch. "Wells Fargo is taking an important step toward improving science education in the communities where they do business, which will benefit the teachers, their students, and ultimately, the planet."

Teachers will come from a pool of applicants from around the country, including Des Moines, Atlanta, San Francisco, Minneapolis, and other cities where Wells Fargo has a presence. Teachers will be chosen on the basis of their ability to make the most of their expedition experience and apply it to future curricula.

Earthwatch Institute is a global volunteer organization that supports scientific field research by offering members of the public unique opportunities to work alongside leading field scientists and researchers. Earthwatch's mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Over the past 35 years, more than 4,000 teacher fellows have received training and inspiration on Earthwatch expeditions. The year 2006 marks Earthwatch's 35th anniversary.

Wells Fargo is committed to being environmentally responsible in every community in which it does business. The Company integrates environmental responsibility into its business practices and procedures, and has pledged to make $1 billion in lending and other financial commitments by 2010 to environmentally beneficial business opportunities.

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $482 billion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance to more than 23 million customers from more than 6,200 stores and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and elsewhere internationally. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is the only bank in the United States to receive the highest possible credit rating, "Aaa," from Moody's Investors Service.

Web links www.earthwatch.org

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