GM Kokomo Operations Earns Wildlife Habitat Certification
KOKOMO, Ind., November 12, 2014 /3BL Media/ – General Motors’ Kokomo Operations has been recognized by the Wildlife Habitat Council for enhancing biodiversity at the facility and engaging community partners to promote wildlife conservation and education. The plant received a Wildlife at Work certification for the pollinator habitat the wildlife team created in early 2013 near a building entrance.
The Wildlife Habitat Council’s Wildlife at Work program provides a structure for corporate-driven cooperative efforts among management, employees and community members to create, conserve, and restore wildlife habitats on corporate lands.
The GM Kokomo site includes six raised garden beds that hold native, pollinator-friendly vegetation surrounded by trees. Plants growing include Purple Coneflower, Pardon My Purple, Little Henry, Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry, Blue Princess Holly and Blue Heaven Butterfly. The wildlife team worked with the Department of Natural Resources, a landscaper and contractor to install and manage the habitat.
“Our habitat program provides significant benefits to the environment and the dedicated employees who manage it,” said Steve Hartwig, plant manager of Kokomo Operations. “It also serves as an outdoor classroom to educate youth and the community on the importance of conservation.”
Kokomo Operations is one of 40 GM facilities around the world with conservation programs certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council. GM has more certifications than any automaker and has committed to creating and securing wildlife habitat certifications or equivalent at each of its manufacturing sites globally by 2020.
The company actively manages nearly 5,000 acres of wildlife habitat globally, representing 22 percent of the certified sites’ overall footprint.
Additionally, employees from Kokomo Operations team up with community partner organizations and neighborhood schools to teach students about assessing water quality through the GM Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (GREEN) program. The landfill-free operation is a member of the Indiana Environmental Stewardship Program, a voluntary, leadership-based organization honoring companies for going above and beyond Indiana’s environmental regulations.
For more information on GM’s environmental commitment, visit its sustainability report and environmental blog.
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.
About the Wildlife Habitat Council
Formed in 1988, the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) promotes and certifies habitat conservation and management on corporate lands through partnerships and education. WHC’s programs take corporate sustainability goals and objectives and translate them into tangible and measurable on-the-ground action. Through a focus on building collaboration for conservation with corporate employees, other conservation organizations, government agencies and community members, WHC programs focus on healthy ecosystems and connected communities. WHC-assisted wildlife habitat and conservation education programs are found in 44 states, the District of Columbia and 12 other countries. To learn more, visit www.wildlifehc.org.
