Beaumont, TX, (March 25, 2009)—One of the most diverse landscapes in America gained further protection today with The Conservation Fund's purchase of more than 3,600 acres in Hardin, Tyler and Polk counties from the Hancock Timber Resource Group. The land eventually will become part of Big Thicket National Preserve.

Packed with an impressive amount of wildlife and plant species, the dense wilderness of the Big Thicket region in southeast Texas consists of important river corridors, productive wetlands, tall forests, open plains, pine savannas and dry sandhills.

Big Thicket National Preserve-the nation's first national preserve-protects the heart of the region and provides visitors with opportunities for backpacking, hiking, camping, canoeing, kayaking and wildlife viewing.

The Conservation Fund has been working to expand Big Thicket National Preserve, permanently protecting the region's rich natural legacy. The purchase from Hancock Timber establishes a continuous conservation corridor along Village Creek that provides habitat for migratory waterfowl and song birds and serves as a floodplain that would benefit the communities along Village Creek and the Neches River.

"Working with partners like Hancock Timber allows us to rebuild the Big Thicket legacy so that future generations can enjoy this unique and historic part of east Texas," said Andy Jones, director of The Conservation Fund's Texas office. "We appreciate Hancock Timber's ongoing collaboration and willingness to help us achieve that goal."

"The Hancock Timber Resource Group and The Conservation Fund have a long history of working together to protect environmentally sensitive land," said Mike Wolf, director of North American Forest Operations, Hancock Timber Resource Group. "We are very pleased to be able to work with The Conservation Fund once again to protect land in the Village Creek watershed."

The Conservation Fund has helped preserve nearly 137,000 acres in Texas, including 32,000 acres at Big Thicket National Preserve. In addition, the Fund launched an ecotourism and economic development program for the region called the Pineywoods Experience (TexasPineywoodsExperience.org) and established Texas' largest wetlands mitigation bank, the Pineywoods Mitigation Bank (PineywoodsBank.com).

"The Conservation Fund has played a major role in protecting Village Creek as a key environmental and recreational resource within the Big Thicket," said Bruce Drury, president of Big Thicket Association. "We are proud to support their efforts and look forward to a continued partnership."

Through its Sensitive Lands Program, the Hancock Timber Resource Group has helped preserve and protect nearly 400,000 acres of environmentally sensitive lands across the United States.

In 1999, Hancock Timber teamed with The Conservation Fund, the state of Maryland and the Richard King Mellon Foundation to facilitate the largest conservation-related acquisition in the history of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Under the deal, 76,000 acres on the Delmarva Peninsula in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia were acquired by the groups to enhance recreation areas, protect environmentally sensitive land and promote long-term timber production.

The Conservation Fund is dedicated to advancing America's land and water legacy. With our partners, we conserve land, train leaders and invest in conservation at home. Since 1985, we have helped protect more than 6 million acres, sustaining wild havens, working lands and vibrant communities. We're a top-ranked conservation organization, effective and efficient. http://www.conservationfund.org

The Hancock Timber Resource Group, a division of Hancock Natural Resource Group, Inc., an operating company of MFC Global Investment Management, manages more than five million acres of timberland worth approximately $8.5 billion across the United States as well as Brazil, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Additional information about HTRG may be found at www.hancocktimber.com.

MFC Global Investment Management is the asset management arm of Manulife Financial Corporation. Based in North America with investment offices in Toronto, Boston, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, the firm has more than 100 years of experience. Additional information about MFC Global Investment Management may be found at www.mfcglobal.com.

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$405 billion (US$330 billion) as at December 31, 2008. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial may be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.