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Ford Proving Grounds earns Recognition for Nature Programs Ford Motor Company's Michigan Proving Ground has received international recognition for its contributions to wildlife conservation and education. At the Wildlife Habitat Council's 19th Annual Symposium, The Value of Green, held in November, employees at the 3,880-acre Michigan Proving Ground (MPG) were recognized for their efforts to preserve and improve the location's wildlife habitats.
Ford has been certified in the Wildlife at Work program since 2002, and throughout those years has improved the area by planting trees, providing nest boxes for various species of birds, and creating nature trails, to name a few. Charlie Cherven of Ford Motor Company said the program has been a great opportunity for the employees to work on the habitat, as well as having schools and local Scout groups experiencing the habitat. "It's our commitment to environment, to have a sustainable future and show responsibility with education and awareness," he said. The wildlife committee at Ford is made up of volunteers, he said, and anyone who wishes to participate is able to do so. He said a 50-year master plan has been developed for what improvements Ford wishes to see in its habitats. "We have ideas like butterfly gardens, how to preserve our wetlands, and we'll continue to build nature trails, plant trees and monitor our nest boxes," he said. The MPG has also built a Corporate Lands for Learning program to help educate and help people experience nature. Most of the work has been done with Girl Scouts who help plant trees. Future plans include work with beehives for pollination or placing signs along trails to identify floral species. Ford currently has 17 global facilities that have achieved certification as wildlife habitats. Out of MPG's near 4,000 acres, approximately 3,000 acres of it are available for enhancement projects. Cherven said the Romeo Engine Plant also has an area designated for wildlife preservation as well.
Rare falcons hatch 3 chicks at West Olive power plant, Grand Haven Tribune A pair of nesting peregrine falcons at the J.H. Campbell Complex in An avid birder and globetrotting participant in expeditions to South and Central America in search of rare bird viewing, Pomarius has been involved with the falcon project at Consumers' Campbell site since its inception in 1995. He said the Grand Haven-area falcons may range 50 miles from their nest daily and migrate between
After being listed as an endangered species, conservation and preservation efforts brought back the bird's population to the point it was removed from the Federal Endangered Species List in 1999. However, peregrine falcons remain on the Federal Threatened Species List and the Michigan Endangered Species List. The cliff dwellers find the right combination of habitat and housing in West Michigan at three area power plants and atop one Consumers Energy employees who volunteer for the company's Environmental Enhancement Teams construct nest boxes and manage peregrine falcon and other environmental stewardship programs certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council. The J.H. Campbell Complex occupies 2,000 acres and of the total acreage, 1,600 acres of the property are exclusively dedicated to wildlife habitat. The diverse property contains old growth dunes with give way to dense dune grass at the base, forests and wetlands. The 20-person Environmental Enhancement Team continues to perform nearly all of the work associated with habitat enhancement projects on-site. The J.H. Campbell Complex's Biological Field Station, in operation for more than 13 years, is the center of the Corporate Lands for Learning program at the facility. This 750-acre outdoor laboratory with a modular classroom hosts more than 1,000 students each year for half-day learning experiences. The site has been WHC certified for Wildlife at Work since 1991 and
Taking the Scenic Route to Work Fidelity Investments’ offices in
This year the group decided to focus on bat conservation, trail identification on the campus and National Pollinators Week, said Fidelity spokeswoman Robin Smith. The company learned about the program through Raytheon Company, Smith said. "Raytheon became certified and wanted to spread the word to other companies," she said. "They ended up being a mentor for us. We learned a lot from what they were doing at their campus." For Fidelity, having the program on its own campus can help attract and retain employees who are interested in wildlife protection and the environment, Smith said. "We try to provide opportunities for our employees to volunteer, though it is not required," said John Muggeridge, Fidelity’s general manager in The volunteers have set up an Eastern Bluebird Trail with eight nest boxes; there are now six birds and roughly two dozen eggs. Last year, the team successfully fledged 13 bluebirds, 18 tree swallows and six house wrens. The group keeps a list of the animal species on the property – including deer, wild turkeys and various species of birds – on an internal company Web site. And the volunteers lead four "Woodland Walks" per year, bringing in experts to educate employees and volunteers about wildlife, conservation and efforts they can implement in their own backyards. The campus has been WHC certified since 2006. Related Articles |
