Corporate Habitats

The Huron to Erie Waterways for Wildlife Project engages volunteer stewards at some 50 corporate and non-profit sites. For a map of certified sites in the Lake Huron to Lake Erie corridor, click here.

The searchable Registry of Certified & Internationally Accredited Corporate Wildlife Habitat Programs lists brief descriptions of WHC certified sites. Visit the Directory of Awards to learn about programs that have been further recognized for their achievements.

For a map of certified sites in the Lake Huron to Lake Erie corridor, click here.

Congratulations to Newly
Certified Habitat Programs!

The following programs were recognized in WHC's most recent round of certifications, November 2009.

DTE Energy Conners Creek Power Plant, Detroit

The Conners Creek Power Plant occupies 66 acres of land in southeastern Michigan. Located adjacent to the Detroit River, the site lies within an important migratory flyway. The site's Green Team actively manages habitat on two acres of the property, while an additional 25-30 acres remain available for wildlife use.

In July 2008, employees and volunteers planted an entrance garden, creating habitat for birds and pollinators while also adding to the beautification of the site. The project area has since been maintained by weeding. In 2009, the Green Team and 12 Detroit high school students undertook a project to enhance migratory bird habitat along the Detroit River. Following the site preparation, which included the removal of asphalt remnants, these participants planted native vegetation along the Detroit River marina canal. The team also engaged in a beaver habitat project after the sighting of a beaver on the property, the first to be documented on the Detroit River in at least 75 years. This project currently involves monitoring for the presence of beavers through direct observation and camera recordings. There are plans to plant and maintain native trees for beaver habitat in the future. 

DTE Energy Milford Compressor Station

The Milford Compressor Station occupies 52 acres of land in southeastern Michigan, of which approximately 32 acres are available for wildlife. The property includes such habitats as mixed hardwood forest, pine plantation, forest edge, intermittent wetland, old field and shrub-scrub. Of the site's ten employees, half are involved in the wildlife habitat program.

The wildlife team implemented several habitat enhancement projects in its first year, including planting native vegetation around a small wetland and removing invasive autumn olive from the edges of the site's forested areas. An eco-tone project was also initiated to provide diverse edge habitat in an area that had previously been mowed up to the forest line. Employees planted native trees and shrubs along the wooded edge, followed by native grasses and forbs to provide a soft transition between forested and open habitats. A local Girl Scout troop built bluebird boxes to provide additional nesting opportunities for bird species. Future plans for the program include installing a rain garden to provide storm water filtration, as well as habitat for pollinators and songbirds. 

Henry Ford Hospital West Bloomfield

Henry Ford Health System's West Bloomfield Hospital opened in 2009 in a northwestern suburb of Detroit. From the beginning, the site's planning and construction were based on a vision far different from the traditional hospital campus. For instance, the main common area in the hospital has a "main street" feel with small shops and cafes; the cafeteria menu is based on healthy, local food; and patient rooms, all single, are designed for the comfort of visiting family members as well as patients. Most of the rooms also overlook one of the hospital's wildlife habitat areas, a detention pond that was naturalized and hosts migrating waterfowl and resident egrets, ducks and geese. Thus, the hospital takes advantage of the documented link between wellness and access to nature.

The hospital's careful stewardship of the Rouge River watershed, using wildlife-friendly methods, is the prime feature of the wildlife management plan so far. A two-acre wetland near the hospital entrance, which collects storm water from parking lots, was extensively planted with native wetland plants. Rain water from the roof top is collected in cisterns and used to irrigate the modest-sized lawns. The wetland empties into a detention pond and related wetlands on the opposite side of the hospital building. This pond hosts birds, turtles and frogs, along with an advanced system to ensure sediment is removed before water is released to Rouge River headwaters. This helps to protect aquatic and shoreline habitat downstream.

The site's wildlife team plans on-going efforts to control invasive plants that invaded parts of the new wetlands and monitor bird species with help from visitors and patients; binoculars and guidebooks are planned for waiting areas overlooking the pond. The hospital grounds also include about 80 acres of wet woods and a small natural pond that will also receive inspections for invasive plants. A long-term vision for education and outreach includes a possible walking trail for employee and visitor health, and a greenhouse for programs that will help students understand healthy food sources as well as propagation of native plants. 

ITC Holdings Transmission Corridor – Stony Creek Metropark

The ITC Transmission Corridor - Stony Creek Metropark is located in the Detroit metropolitan area. Stony Creek Metropark occupies more than 4,000 acres and serves as a multi-use recreation park, with a nature center and more than 30 miles of trails. ITC's operations occupy 25 acres across the northern portion of the park, of which 20 acres are actively managed for wildlife.

A prominent feature of the wildlife program is the removal of invasive woody and herbaceous species. Trees selected for girdling were retained as snags, and woody debris collected from plant removal was placed along the transmission corridor to provide cover for wildlife. Prescribed burning was conducted by Metropark staff to maintain low-growing prairie vegetation within and around the corridor. To support its educational goals, native trees and shrubs were planted near the nature center to create a demonstration arboretum, and interpretive signs were designed to educate visitors about the ecosystem and its management. 

For more information about the Huron to Erie Project's corporate leaders in wildlife habitat, visit:

DTE Energy
Ford Motor Company
Ontario Power Generation
Terra International (Canada) Inc.