Registry of Certified Programs

The Wildlife Habitat Council's Corporate Wildlife Habitat Certification/International Accreditation Program recognizes commendable wildlife habitat management and environmental education programs at individual sites. WHC certification adds value to programs by providing third-party credibility and an objective evaluation of projects.

Search registry database below to learn about projects.

This registry serves as a reference for WHC sites and as a resource for the press, government agencies, elected officials, conservation organizations and the public. It includes detailed descriptions of the certified efforts at each site. Visit the Directory of Awards to learn about programs that have been further recognized for their achievements.

The employees and volunteers at Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.'s Warren Plant - BEECH distinguished themselves by winning the coveted 2009 Corporate Habitat of the Year award, which goes to one recertified program each year.

The site’s wildlife management program is designed to increase biodiversity on nearly 700 acres of the property by implementing and linking habitat enhancement projects for a stable, more diverse ecosystem, and by educating and involving plant employees and community volunteers in wildlife conservation. 

The wildlife team at the Warren Plant – Partnership with Nature Wildlife Area works with the Tennessee Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) to cultivate blight resistant “Heritage American Chestnut” trees adapted to the soil and weather conditions in Tennessee since 2002. The American chestnut tree was a fundamental natural part of America’s forestlands, producing large mast crops every year for wildlife before most of the trees were killed by chestnut blight.

With the assistance of state agencies such as Tennessee Division of Forestry, the site employed control measures to limit the growth of cool-season grasses, including controlled burns to promote native warm-season grass growth to provide food and cover for grassland birds. The wildlife team manages 128 acres of regenerated prairie to improve grassland bird populations, such as the Bobwhite quail, that have been under pressure from habitat loss. Also, the wildlife team manages 231 acres of forest to increase the diversity and population of native wildlife.

The first year of Corporate Lands for Learning certification for the Warren Plant – BEECH Program saw more than 4,000 students visit the facility. The educational focus is well established and now includes indoor and outdoor hands-on learning as well as a nature trail which the local school system integrated as part of its science curriculum. BEECH, which stands for Bridgestone Environmental Education Classroom & Habitat, built its education management plan, created infrastructure and worked with partners for several years.

2009-2010 Registry of Certified & Internationally Accredited Programs

All Records

Certification criteria are stringent. Sites must demonstrate that programs have been active for at least one year with a management plan that lists goals, objectives and prescriptions and complete documentation of all programs. Apply now!

The Certification Review Committee, a panel of WHC wildlife biologists and staff, reviews the materials for certification eligibility and recognizes deserving projects under an appropriate category. WHC offers two separate categories: Wildlife at Work^SM certification and Corporate Lands for Learning^SM (CLL) certification.

In 2009, 158 Wildlife at Work programs were recertified by WHC. These sites continued their original programs and, in many instances, expanded them to address ecosystem management and regional biodiversity. In addition, 80 new programs achieved Wildlife at Work certification, bringing the total of currently recognized wildlife programs to 560. As of 2009, 113 certified CLL programs reach thousands of learners from schools and scout groups, to master gardeners and university researchers.

WHC-assisted wildlife habitat and conservation education programs are found in 48 states, the District of Columbia and nine other countries.

The application process for certification involves:

• At least one site visit by a WHC biologist;     
• Submission of an application form and community references; and     
• Submission of a management plan supported by photographs and documentation of program monitoring and maintenance.

The certified wildlife habitat programs focus on restoration, creation, protection and enhancement of habitat and individual species management by establishing Wildlife at Work programs. Our corporate members actively develop and monitor their wildlife program based upon WHC recommendations. Sites that have an active environmental education program can become certified for Corporate Lands for Learning. CLL programs demonstrate how corporate land, natural resources and employee skills can provide both adults and children with unique educational opportunities.

Upon certification, representatives from the site receive a mounted certificate and a photo opportunity with WHC officials. WHC issues press releases on behalf of the certified and recertified sites. These releases are sent to media contacts of the sites' choice, in addition to regional, national and international media contacts. Also, sites may lease a sign stating that their site wildlife program has been certified by WHC. Initially, recertification is required after two years to ensure that the sites' program continues to provide quality wildlife habitat. If, upon the first recertification, the program meets an additional set of criteria, recertification is required every three years thereafter.

For more information about the certification program, please WHC at 301-588-8994. Please contact us if you would like to update information about your site or send us a correction, even if you are not currently undergoing certification or recertification.

Corporate Lands for Learning and Wildlife at Work are registered service marks (SM) of the Wildlife Habitat Council.