Today, in a surprising move, Microsoft is highlighting the key role that community and economic support play in boosting the thriving worldwide penguin ecosystem. During a keynote that is yet to be scheduled, Bill Hilf, General Manager of Platform Strategy, will cite a potentially growing list of alliances that will deliver the benefits of community and economic growth to penguins everywhere. Most notably, Hilf will discuss the announcement of a new community program, Microsoft Penguin Adoption 2007.
The Penguin Adoption program is critical to demonstrating this commitment. “A year ago, nobody would have expected Microsoft to have a penguin program in place. But my innovative and envelope-pushing work is changing all that,” adds an animated Hilf. Community is a Key Driver to the Success of Penguins The support of an aquatic and flightless species like the penguin - be it Emperor, Gentoo or Humboldt - requires the support of an active community. That’s why a key component to the new Penguin program will be the 2007 adoption of Seattle, WA-based Woodland Park Zoo’s Penguin Exhibit. With it, Microsoft will become an official 2007-2008 ‘ZooParent’ to the local Humbolt penguin exhibit.
The adoption, made possible by Woodland Park Zoo, will help provide support and care for the penguins, as well as fund wildlife conservation efforts. By working with local and benevolent penguin leaders who are the experts in their respective communities, such as zoo maintainers, Penguin Adoption 2007 will provide the necessary tools to help foster penguin growth. Hilf, unable to contain his exhilaration for the program, adds, “It’s a win-win. Did I mention that we get an official certificate to hang in the Open Source Software Lab? I’m betting Sam will do somersaults – he is nimble. Like a penguin. ”
Sam Ramji, Director of the Open Source Software Lab, simply commented, “Well, you’re either hard-core, or you’re not.” (Timestamp, 4:50)
Corporate Investment is a Key Driver to Community Emerging as a key component to community success is a sustained level of corporate investment. “That’s why this is a no brainer,” says Hilf. “Plus, I love penguins. They are curious and crafty creatures, with beautiful eyes I can stare into.”  Microsoft is not the first company to support penguin-centric community programs, and in fact, joins a long list of other technology vendors in the effort to sustain and grow the developing penguin population. And now, through Penguin Adoption 2007’s annual sponsorship, Microsoft is enabling children and adults everywhere to enjoy the grace and curiosity that is the Humboldt Penguin. For those unable to visit Woodland Park Zoo, a recorded video is available here. The adoption of the Woodland Park Zoo Humboldt Penguin exhibit began in March 2007, and will continue through March 2008.
About the Woodland Park Zoo
Among its distinctions, Woodland Park Zoo is one of the oldest zoos on the West Coast. Woodland Park Zoo encompasses 92 acres and features more than 1,090 individual animals representing nearly 300 species. The grounds are divided into what are known as bioclimatic zones, the unique habitats around the world, from tropical rain forests to the frigid climes of the Far North. More information can be found here.
On A Serious Note
The effort to save endangered Humboldt penguins requires cooperation and support at the international, national, regional and individual levels. You can help in this cause. Join and become active in Woodland Park Zoo. You can learn more here. If you are a Microsoft employee, donations to qualifying non-profits can also be matched. Invisotext: Happy April Fool's Day! | 
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