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Waste management earns honor from wildlife council
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Taking part in a presentation of the Wildlife at Work Certification for Waste Management (WM) of Coal Township are, from left, Mike Wimer, route manager, WM of Coal Township; Robert Johnson, president, Wildlife Habitat Council; and Judy Archibald, public affairs director, WM of Pa.
COAL TOWNSHIP - Waste Management of Coal Township was one of 24 Waste Management (WM) sites honored during the Wildlife Habitat Council's (WHC) 21st annual symposium in November.
Each received new "Wildlife at Work" certifications recognize outstanding native habitat management and environmental education programs developed through partnerships with local organizations.
"Our certified program provides the opportunity to work with our neighbors and local environmental groups on a project that is important to our region - enhancing the natural environment," said Patty Barthel, WM community relations coordinator. "In the future, our on-site programs will welcome children and adults to visit our site for a unique experience which they can't get in a classroom."
Waste Management of Coal Township leases and operates a transfer station and recycling facility on approximately 10 acres in the township. The operation uses roughly eight acres of land, with the remaining perimeter comprised of woodlands to the south and west, an open field to the northwest, a stormwater basin in the northwestern corner and a fire pond located west of the transfer station.
Waste Management of Coal Township focused its habitat enhancement projects on preserving and protecting the pockets of wildlife areas located within the leased area, the company reported.
The wildlife team consists of five core members who have been nurturing the site and cultivating new visitors. As part of the Wildlife at Work program, the WM wildlife team initiated a bird box monitoring program to provide nesting habitats for eastern bluebirds and tree swallows, and encouraged employees to help with the observation duties on the property. With the help of a local Scout troop, employees built and erected seven bluebird boxes in open areas to allow freedom of movement and access to insects for the birds. Since then, site employees monitor the boxes weekly, and in 2009, two of the seven boxes housed nests and fledged young bluebirds and tree swallows.
Coal Township is one of 45 WM locations receiving this award, bringing the company's total number of sites with Wildlife at Work certifications to 73.
WM's sustainability goal is to win WHC certification for 100 sites and 25,000 acres by 2020. To date, WM has set aside 24,000 acres for wildlife habitat and has earned more WHC certified sites than any other participating company.
The company has also been recognized with prestigious awards from the WHC in the past. In 2006, WM was the first organizational recipient of the Wildlife Habitat's President's Award, which is awarded for leadership attributes and an innovative strategic vision to building conservation programs within economically viable, sustainable communities; and in 2008 became the first recipient of WHC's William W. Howard CEO Award recognizing the company's efforts in conservation, education and outreach efforts.
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