and
The North Carolina Wildlife
Federation
The WAIT (Wildlife
and Industry Together) program works to convert areas of an industry’s
manicured grounds into habitat for native plants and wildlife. This partnership
program involves businesses, conservation organizations, and community and
youth organizations. The two primary goals of the program are to (1) establish
more protected and enhanced native wildlife habitats, and (2) provide a
wildlife educational resource for the entire community.
WAIT provides corporate landowners and their
employees with a framework for integrating wildlife habitat needs into
corporate land management decisions. Employees, facility neighbors and community
groups plan and execute specific habitat projects in partnership with the
industry and each other.
The program benefits everyone involved:
The business:
·
realizes
a cost savings through reduced land management costs;
·
enhances
its reputation among the community as a responsible environmental steward;
·
develops
new partnerships with community groups – including schools, civic
organizations, regulatory bodies and conservation groups;
·
improves
employee enthusiasm and environmental awareness by providing a more interesting
and attractive workplace; and
·
receives
positive coverage in partner publications, through WAIT certification signs,
and related media events.
Site “Neighbors” and the local community:
·
develop
a greater understanding of the company’s operations and its commitment to the
environment and the community; and
·
realize
they can have a positive environmental impact through habitat creation,
preservation and stewardship.
Employees:
·
take
pride in their work developing a community based wildlife habitat;
·
acquire
a greater appreciation of the value of environmental stewardship; and
·
get
satisfaction from working in a facility that is aesthetically pleasing.
Corporate lands can be valuable community assets that make an important contribution to the enhancement of native plants and wildlife habitat.
For more information, please
contact:
2155 McClintock Rd., Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 332-5696 tim@ncwf.org