Partnerships with Industry to Achieve Ecosystem

Restoration

Presented by:

Ann George

Arid SW Biologist,

Wildlife Habitat Council

In this presentation:

� Engaging industry in conservation

� Outline strategies to achieve collaboration for

conservationconservation

� Use restoration as an opportunity for learning

� Highlight examples of ecosystem restoration with diverse stakeholder groups

Introduction

� What is the importance of partnering with business?

� <5% of species are protected in traditional � <5% of species are protected in traditional

reserves

� 61-75% of land owned outside the federal

government

� Need to work with private landowners to conserve

biodiversity

� How does this need fit into WHC’s model?

WHC: A Strategic Conservation Partner since 1988

A non-profit conservation organization with focus on corporate properties

Strategy: Help build habitat management programs on corporate property through partnerships and employee involvement

~ 100 corporate members (e.g. Oil & Gas, Mining, Autos, Manufacturing)

~ 30 conservation organizations (e.g. Ducks Unlimited, Conservation Fund)

www.wildlifehc.org

WHC works by bringing together…

� Corporations

� Conservation � Conservation

Organizations and

Museums

� Educators and

Educational Institutions

� Passionate Individuals

DNR official at restored landfill Woodlawn Wildlife Area, owned

by Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.

Voluntary Initiatives

Achieve the best results:

� Part of corporate

strategy

� Local and site-based

� Employee & community

involvement

Unimin: Emmett, ID

What is the value of broad stakeholder involvement?

• Increased visibility and

public trust for the project

•• Increased transparency for

corporations

• Greater vested interest in

the program

• Green spaces are highly

supported by the public

Connecting sites to broader conservation initiatives

� WHC links sites to available resources

� Facilitates relationships with other � Facilitates relationships with other

stakeholder groups

� Links local conservation initiative to broader

regional / national database � strengthen

the impact of individual efforts

www.wildlifeactionplans.org

www.ebird.org

www.nestwatch.org

� Frog watch

http://www.nwf.org/frogwatchUSA/

“Opening private lands topublic learning opportunities…”

CLL Program at

Bayer Corporation,

Pittsburgh , PA

CLL Program, Flint

Hill Resources,

Joliet, IL

WHC’s Corporate Lands for Learning (CLL) Model

� Links to work being done on wildlife habitat

� Clear educational goals are � Clear educational goals are laid out

� CLL can include many types of “learners” or stakeholders:

� Schools

� Scout groups

� Colleges/universities

� Community members

� Corporate employees

Bayer Corporation’s Pittsburgh Site

CLL Benefits the Corporate Partner

� Sense of social

responsiveness to

community.community.

� Recognition as a corporate

leader in environmental

education.

� Positive public image with

students, parents and

community.

CLL Program at Unimin Corporation, Gleason TN

CLL Benefits Teachers

� New approach to

subject matter.

� Hands-on /real-life

examples.

� Interaction with

other professionals.

� Builds motivation

and enthusiasm.

CLL Benefits Students

� Enthusiasm for subject

matter.matter.

� Real world application for

classroom concepts

� A place to build skills

� Understand how they fit into

nature - and global

environmentCLL Program at PPG Monroeville Chemical,

Pittsburgh , PA

Case Study: Woodlawn Wildlife Area (Cecil Co., MD)

Woodlawn Landfill, Bridgestone

Case study: BASF FightingCase study: BASF Fighting IslandIsland

Detroit River

International

Wildlife Refuge

BASF Fighting

Island

Case study: BASF Fighting Island

� Reveg efforts began in

1970

CLL Program at BASF Fighting

Island, Honored as WHC’s CLL of the

Year, 2007

� Control dust and run-off

� Planted >200,000 native

seedlings

� Control invasive species

� Increase wildlife habitat

� Migratory bird species

� Wild game

Conclusion

� WHC strives to bring together diverse

stakeholder groups

� These initiatives strengthen conservation

efforts at multiple scales

� Restoration projects are ideal opportunities

to provide outdoor learning experiences

For more information, contact ageorge@wildlifehc.org