Wildlife Habitat Council And U.S. EPA Performance Track Recognize Monsanto Company
Vanessa C. Kauffman
11/21/04
Recognizing Excellence in Environmental Performance and Wildlife Habitat Restoration
BALTIMORE, MD—The Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Environmental Performance Track presented a special certificate of recognition to Monsanto Company during WHC’s 16th Annual Symposium at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore, Maryland. This acknowledgement distinguishes the Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve and Muscatine, Iowa facility for its commitment to outstanding environmental performance and wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration as a member of both the U.S. EPA National Environmental Performance Track and Wildlife Habitat Council. In addition, Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve achieved 2004 WHC habitat recertification demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship and increasing native biodiversity.
“Sixteen years ago, WHC was formed as a cooperative effort between corporations, communities and conservation organizations. Since then our shared mission has evolved and provided many advances in creating sustainable wildlife habitat. We congratulate Monsanto Company on their efforts to help advance our initiatives to restore and enhance our natural resources. It is with this support that we can create a more ecologically sound and mutually beneficial environment for all,” said Bill Howard, WHC President.
“Working in partnership, WHC and Performance Track are creating opportunities for public and private facilities to reduce their impact on the environment, protect human health and safety and preserve wildlife habitat. After reviewing the many voluntary initiatives and notable accomplishments of our respective members, we are jointly pleased to commend the Monsanto Muscatine, Iowa facility for its outstanding achievements in environmental management and wildlife habitat restoration,” said Dan Fiorino, Director, EPA National Environmental Performance Track.
This facility is being commended for the substantial progress it has made towards challenging environmental goals as a Charter Member of Performance Track. In addition, it is being recognized for habitat restoration and improvement projects as well as a strong commitment to public outreach, transparency of operations and corporate citizenship. During its first three years in Performance Track, the plant reduced its total energy use per pound of product by 62 percent, water use per pound of product by 47 percent, and total solid waste per pound of product by nearly 80 percent. It also cut discharges to water (in terms of biological oxygen demand) by 97 percent.
www.epa.gov/performancetrack/events/monsanto.htm
“At Monsanto the safety of our employees, the communities where we operate and customers, consumers and the environment are our highest priority. These are key elements of our Monsanto Pledge and participation in both Performance Track and the Wildlife Habitat Council certification programs demonstrate that Pledge. Monsanto is honored to be jointly recognized by the EPA and WHC for our exemplary work in environmental and habitat protection at our Muscatine, Iowa facility,” said Emer Obroin, Vice President, ESH, Monsanto.
Monsanto also co-owns, manages and maintains on-site the 510-acre Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve, safeguarding a unique sand prairie ecosystem that is home to several rare and threatened species located along the Mississippi River near Muscatine, Iowa. This site is important in the Midwest because of its diverse ecosystem of unusual plants and animals. The sand mound is the most prominent topographical feature in the area and represents an isolated section of the Mississippi River. Preserve inhabitants include 352 native plant species and 30 rare plants and animals. The most notable species found at the preserve is the Illinois mud turtle, a previously endangered species whose largest known population occurs in the region.
An ecological advisory committee oversees the long-term management of the preserve. The main goals are to conserve and enhance existing ecological communities, manage endangered species, protect archaeological features and accommodate research. Team members removed trees and woody vegetation to open up areas for turtle migration between sand dunes and aquatic areas. In April 2004, several prescribed burns were conducted on a 28-acre portion of the preserve as a part of the prairie management program.
The advisory committee also focuses on research, education and providing controlled access to the public. Community partners, such as Boy Scouts volunteer hours for conservation projects. Public Field Days are held to educate community members on the preserve, and local school groups are invited to take walking tours that highlight the biological, archaeological and historical significance of the area. Studies are conducted on invertebrates, birds and turtles found in the preserve by nearby researchers.
Susie Hidalgo, ESH Area Leader at the Muscatine Plant said, “Our employees work diligently to ensure environmental excellence in our operations and to maintain our value and reputation in the community. We are proud of our accomplishments and we appreciate the official commendation to recognize the creative spirit of our employees.” Connie Veach, a devoted employee volunteer to the program added, “The greatest reward is seeing the delight in a child’s face upon learning and experiencing the prairie habitat. This is only possible through the continued efforts of industry to demonstrate continuous environmental improvement while pursuing the benefits of wildlife habitat enhancement.”
Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. For more information on Monsanto, see: www.monsanto.com
The Wildlife Habitat Council is a nonprofit, non-lobbying organization dedicated to increasing the quality and amount of wildlife habitat on corporate, private and public lands. WHC devotes its resources to building partnerships with corporations and conservation groups to create solutions that balance the demands of economic growth with the requirements of a healthy, bio-diverse and sustainable environment. More than 2 million acres in 48 states, Puerto Rico and 16 other countries are managed for wildlife through WHC-assisted projects. www.wildlifehc.org
Associated Link:
U.S. EPA Performance Track
Read More News
|
