Ford Motor Company
In cooperation with the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), the Ford Motor Company demonstrates an ongoing commitment to protecting and preserving the environment for future generations by connecting people and communities through the creation of wildlife habitat programs on corporate properties. Ford has long been a supporter of wildlife and environmental education programs, and encourages Ford employees around the globe to create natural habitats surrounding their sites. Recent stories from Ford facilities.
Ford Motor Company Member Portfolio
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"I believe that sustainability is the most important issue facing the automotive industry, and business in general, in the 21st century. I view economic, social and environmental sustainability not just as a requirement, but as a business opportunity. I want our company to be a leader in driving the transition, and to be in a position to benefit from it." Bill Ford, Chairman and CEO
Ford Motor Company |
As a dedicated member of WHC since 1992 and long-standing supporter on the Board of Directors, Ford has asserted environmental leadership in creating and maintaining wildlife habitat at sites throughout the continental United States and abroad. Ford’s emphasis on becoming a leading contributor to a more sustainable world begins locally with their employees and with people in the communities that surround Ford facilities. By creating partnerships with local community groups and volunteers, Ford demonstrates that people and industry can live in harmony with nature. Find a Ford program near you!
A killdeer (Charadrius vociferous) nest of eggs is spotted on the 10.4-acre living green roof at the Dearborn Truck Plant. |
Strong community outreach and educational programs through partnerships with local schools are important components to the success of Ford’s wildlife-based programs. Wildlife teams at Ford sites implement and regularly maintain projects such as nest box monitoring, riparian restoration, schoolyard naturalization and reforestation.
The transformation of the Ford Rouge Center in Dearborn, Michigan, demonstrates a model for sustainable manufacturing. Key initiatives at the site include managing stormwater by using vegetated roofs, porous paving and habitat culverts and using phytoremediation plants to reestablish soils. A 10.4-acre living roof atop the Dearborn Truck Plant is one illustration of the vital role living plants are playing in the effort.
The roof is constructed of a bioengineered storm water management system composed of a drought-resistant perennial ground cover, called sedum, that was planted into a specially-layered bed to help protect water quality and flow volumes downstream while providing habitat for butterflies, bees and birds. The site has been WHC certified for both habitat and Corporate Lands for Learning since 2002.
Dearborn West Family Service & Learning Center |
Volunteer employees at the Dearborn West Family Service & Learning Center conducted extensive tree and shrub plantings providing food and cover for native wildlife. They also established a pollinator garden that will further enhance the diversity on-site while providing a learning tool for students. Fifty-five preschool and kindergarten students participated in planting the 250-square-foot area.
WHC awarded Ford’s Andrew G. Acho, Worldwide Director of Environmental Outreach and Strategy, with its President’s Award. Thanks to Acho’s vision, Wildlife at Work is being integrated into Ford’s ISO 14001 efforts, the international standard specification for environmental management systems. By working with dedicated employees like Acho and committed companies like Ford, WHC will continue to improve the quality and quantity of wildlife habitat on corporate holdings around the globe.
The Ford Motor Company Fund, through its commitment to link communities with employees and corporate properties, contributes essential ongoing support to help ensure the success of Ford’s wildlife and environmental education programs. With this pledge and investment in partnerships through collaborative habitat programs with WHC, Ford Fund is helping to encourage Ford employees around the globe to create natural habitats surrounding their sites.
A common moorhen glides along the pond at the Dunton Technical Centre. The moorhen is a handsome black water bird with a distinctive red frontal shield. On the water, they move in a characteristic “clockwork” manner: head bobbing and tail flicking. Photo by Malcolm Heywood |
Building on its spectacular success in the United States, Ford and WHC together have begun to implement habitat and environmental education programs in countries worldwide. The 245-acre Dunton Technical Center is located northwest of Laindon, Basildon, in southern England. The site has 163 acres of the total that are available for wildlife habitat enhancement and consists largely of natural grasslands, shrubs and trees.
The Dunton Landscape & Conservation Group deepened a pond on-site and raised the water level to improve the habitat for plant and wildlife. Working with The Environmental Agency they released over 300 fish, including crucian carp, perch, roach, rudd and tench. The pond is located on the east side of the property and is fringed along its margins by bulrush (Schoenoplectus lacustris), reedmace (Typha latifolia) and soft rush (Juncus effusus), and common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) are established residents. The site first received WHC accreditation in 2000.
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