Caring for Environment Doesn't Stop During Lockdowns at Bacardi in Jacksonville

November 16, 2020 /3BL Media/ - Earlier in the year, Bacardi Bottling Corporation in Jacksonville, FL, like many others, had to rethink operations, close office doors, and limit access to the site. Despite new safety measures and work from home protocols, an all-employee team managed to keep the on-site wildlife habitat top of mind. From rotating shifts to monitor progress, to keeping a check on birdhouses to even bringing some of the volunteer “work” home by “fostering” caterpillars. For these efforts, the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) presented Bacardi with its first-ever Ibis Award, created to recognize a program that has demonstrated resiliency of spirit and advancement of conservation despite shutdowns, quarantines, and changes in the workplace. Bacardi was named the winner of the WHC Ibis Award during the WHC Connect 2020 virtual conference. Accepting the award was Kara Bogden, Senior Beverage Scientist at Bacardi, who volunteers to keep the wildlife habitat flourishing and relocated 19 caterpillars from the habitat to her home during the pandemic to monitor their transformation into Monarch butterflies.

With COVID-19 restrictions in place, volunteers are finding creative ways to protect the habitat while maintaining limited access to the site. Regular check-ins of the bird boxes and pollinator gardens ensure wildlife is flourishing. Once the campus fully reopens, the team will be ready to hand plant Purple Passionflower and Sweet Fennel seeds, among others, to expand the habitat. In anticipation of more "guests", the team will also install a wooden insect “hotel” and add a birdbath made from recycled glass.

In August, the Bacardi Bottling Corporation, where the world’s most awarded rum is bottled, achieved recertification by the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) Conservation Certification, this year as a Silver Certified award, signifying leadership among the more than 600 WHC Conservation Certification programs. This is the fourth WHC certification for the Bacardi site in Jacksonville and the second Silver Certified award.

To learn more about Bacardi and its Good Spirited corporate responsibility programs, including environmental sustainability, visit: https://www.bacardilimited.com/corporate-responsibility/.

Related content:

• Bacardi in Jacksonville Recognized for Environmental Excellence by Wildlife Habitat Council
• Bacardi Receives First Certification In Puerto Rico From Wildlife Habitat Council For Conservation And Education Efforts
• Bacardi USA Recognized for Green Supply Chain with US EPA Smartway® Excellence Award

About Wildlife Habitat Council
Wildlife Habitat Council promotes and certifies habitat conservation and management on corporate lands through partnerships and education. WHC Conservation Certification programs take corporate sustainability goals and objectives and translate them into tangible and measurable on-the-ground actions. 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 48 states and 25 countries. www.wildlifehc.org

About Bacardi Bottling Corporation
Founded in 1972, Bacardi Bottling Corporation is a Center of Excellence for Bottling BACARDI® rum branded products enjoyed in the United States. The facility employs more than 200 people and is situated on a 92-acre campus.

Bacardi Bottling Corp. is a subsidiary of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. www.BacardiLimited.com