WM landfill awarded as wildlife habitat

A landfill site in Stark County, Ohio, managed by Houston-based Waste Management Inc. (WM)  has been honored at the Conservation Conference of the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC)  for “its achievements in protecting and enhancing wildlife habitat.”

The American Landfill in Waynesburg, Ohio (about 75 miles south of Cleveland) was first certified for the WHC’s Wildlife at Work program in 2004. Employees at American Landfill now manage 154 acres of land with wildlife habitat goals in mind. The site contains a variety of habitats including wetlands (forested, scrub and emergent), open grassland and upland forest, according to a WM press release.

The Ohio effort is part of a national Waste Management program designed to protect animal and plant species on thousands of acres across North America, with a company goal of 100 certifications by 2020.

“We are pleased to continue our efforts to create and enhance our wetland areas promoting increased nesting of songbirds and other species,” says Todd Brady, American Landfill’s district manager.

Waste Management has been working with WHC since 2000. In 2008 the company was the first recipient of the organization’s William W. Howard CEO Award, given to WM to recognize its efforts in conservation, education and outreach efforts.

“The companies achieving WHC certification are environmental leaders at local, national and global levels, voluntarily managing lands to support sustainable ecosystems and the communities that surround them,” says Margaret O’Gorman, president of the WHC. “Congratulations to Waste Management for its successful conservation project to create habitat and increase biodiversity.”

The Silver Spring, Maryland-based Wildlife Habitat Council says it promotes and certifies habitat conservation and management on corporate lands through partnerships and education. WHC-assisted wildlife habitat and conservation education programs are found in 45 states, the District of Columbia and in 13 countries, says the group.