Defiance Casting Operations

About the Program
General Motors (GM) Defiance Casting Operations is located in Defiance, Ohio, in the northwest corner of the state bordering the Maumee River. GM recognizes the importance of healthy watersheds and native plants that support wildlife by managing and maintaining a wetland and native landscaped entrance as well as hosting multiple education events for employees and students. 

Practices and Impacts

• The Plant 2 East Employee Entrance is a maintained landscaped area with native plants in order to support local pollinators and showcase the importance of native plants for employees. Xerces Society provided advice on native plant species and a formal monitoring form that is conducted annually. 
• GM partners with Ducks Unlimited and Great Lakes River Basin Initiative to restore and manage wetlands in order to support waterfowl. Plans to enhance wetland even further with water control structures and native shrubs are in place and multiple species of wildlife have already been observed.
• The team also partners with the local Soil and Water Conservation District to teach 5th and 6th graders at local schools about the importance of water quality and watersheds with hands-on water quality monitoring implementation. 
• The Annual Earth Day event for employees and visitors highlights the importance of healthy watersheds and native plants.