VINS News Release

VINS WINS TIMBERLAND'S $1,000 COMMUNITY CHAMPION GRANT

Manchester, VT - The Timberland Company has recently announced that the Vermont Institute of Natural Science will receive Timberland's Community Champion grant of $1,000 for its unique contributions to the Manchester community. The Community Champion grant celebrates the spirit of service and acknowledges the important contributions of local non-profit organizations in making their communities better places to live and work. The Vermont Institute of Natural Science, nominated by Manchester store associates, competed with non-profit organizations from across the country to win this special designation.

"The Vermont Institute of Natural Science came highly recommended by our store associates in Manchester, who use their company-sponsored volunteer time to support the organization's mission," said Jeff Swartz, president and CEO of the Timberland Company. "We salute the Vermont Institute of Natural Science for their work and are honored to be their partner."

VINS was chosen as a winner because of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the local community, with the ultimate goal of enriching the lives of residents. VINS' mission is to protect Vermont's natural heritage through education and research designed to engage communities in the active care of their environment.

Each of the 10 non-profit organizations selected this year fills a critical need in the community, and shares Timberland's vision to enhance and transform local communities through collaboration and service. Timberland's Community Champion grant winners for 2004 are: AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, WI); Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama (Foley, AL); Desert Sanctuary (Barstow, CA); Fairview Outdoor Education Center (Clear Spring, MD); Freeport Community Services (Freeport, ME); Habitat for Humanity (Hartford, CT); Henry J. Kalfas Magnet School (Niagara Falls, NY); Intervention Services (Maitland, FL); Vermont Institute of Natural Science (Manchester, VT); and the Washington Park Zoo (Michigan City, IN).

Timberland (NYSE: TBL) is a global leader in the design, engineering and marketing of premium-quality footwear, apparel and accessories for consumers who value the outdoors and their time in it. Timberland products offer quality craftsmanship and detailing and are built to withstand nature's elements. The company's products can be found in leading department and specialty stores as well as Timberland retail stores. Across the U.S. and around the world, Timberland demonstrates a deep commitment to "doing well and doing good" through its unique Path of Service program. Through it, Timberland employees, consumers and service partners forge powerful partnerships to transform the communities in which they live and work. More information about Timberland is available at the company's web site, www.timberland.com.

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Lisa M. Green
Director of Marketing
VINS/Vermont Institute of Natural Science
27073 Church Hill Road
Woodstock, VT  05091-9642
(802) 457-2779 ext. 107
(802) 457-1053 (fax)