Pisgah Mountain News
by
Julie Ball, EDITOR
published September 27, 2007 12:15 am
HENDERSONVILLE
— Bluebird boxes, a walking trail and a learning center have helped a Hendersonville
quarry earn recognition as a wildlife habitat site.
The
N.C. Wildlife Federation recently recognized Vulcan Materials’ Hendersonville
facility as a Wildlife and Industry Together site.
The
program is an extension of the N.C. Wildlife Federation’s backyard wildlife
habitat program, said Tim Gestwicki, deputy director of the organization.
The
WAIT program, which has been in place since 1999, seeks to establish corporate
partners in trying to make sure land in North Carolina is best managed for
wildlife.
“The
overall goal of WAIT and our habitat enhancement program is a part of a large
strategy to have every available acre in this state best managed for wildlife,”
Gestwicki said.
As
part of that goal, the N.C. Wildlife Federation, which is an affiliate of
the National Wildlife Federation, works on issues related to parkland and
gamelands. But this program “is a chance for corporate landowners to make
a difference for conservation with the land they have.”
That’s
important because corporate landowners may own hundreds or sometimes thousands
of acres, Gestwicki said.
For
the corporate landowner, the program can mean a boost in employee morale,
positive recognition and cost savings, Gestwicki said.
For
example, replacing fescue with native plants can promote wildlife and cut
down on the need to water and mow grass.
Tom
Carroll, manager of business development for Vulcan, said many of the company’s
employees are outdoor- oriented, and they have embraced the program.
“They
have kind of taken this up, and we have supported them through the division
office,” he said.
“It’s
just been a real successful program for us.”
Carroll
said the company had worked with the Wildlife Habitat Council previously.
“Vulcan
has had a long history of participating with that group,” Carroll said.
Vulcan’s
Cabarrus Quarry was the first quarry in North Carolina to get the WAIT certification.
There are now about 20 sites in the state with the designation, including
seven Vulcan locations.
To
promote wildlife at the Hendersonville site, the company put up owl boxes,
bluebird nesting boxes, boxes for ducks and for bats. In addition, workers
planted oak and fruit trees to provide a food source.
The
site off Howard Gap and Clear Creek roads is also home to a one-mile walking
trail and a learning center, where school children learn about the work done
at the quarry and what workers are doing for the environment, plant manager
Sammy Peek said.
Peek
said some residents of a nearby subdivision also use the walking trail.
Work
on the wildlife habitat project is yielding results, Peek said.
“We
are getting more wildlife, rabbits, squirrels,” he said. “We can tell it’s
working.”
Contact
Ball at 232-5851 or jball@PISGAHMOUNTAINNEWS.com.
To
find out more about creating a wildlife habitat in your backyard or on the
grounds of your school, business or other facility, visit www.ncwildlifefederation.org
and click on programs.