DuPont has a strategy for land conservation that includes placing surplus property into protected status through the company’s Land Legacy Program, as well as lending support to activities in local communities aimed at preserving green space. In addition, DuPont manages as much of its company property as possible for wildlife habitat.
Currently, 17 DuPont sites around the globe have been certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council, a Maryland-based non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the quality and amount of wildlife habitat on corporate, private and public lands.
“For 20 years, the Wildlife Habitat Council has led ground-breaking initiatives on more than two million acres of land for the benefit of wildlife and conservation education,” said Robert Johnson, WHC President. “WHC members embrace their role as leaders in environmental stewardship at the local, national and global level, voluntarily managing their lands to support sustainable ecosystems and sustainable societies. Congratulations to DuPont Company for stepping up to meet the challenges of creating a healthy and biodiverse natural world.”
Five DuPont sites received international recognition at the Wildlife Habitat Council’s (WHC) 20th Annual Symposium, Celebrating the Past, Looking to the Future, in November 2008 for their contributions to wildlife habitat conservation.
Cooper River Plant - Moncks Corner, South Carolina
DeLisle Plant – Pass Christian, Mississippi
Fort Madison Plant - Fort Madison, Iowa
Parlin Plant – Parlin, New Jersey
Washington Works Plant - Washington, West Virginia
Here’s a look at their efforts to raise environmental awareness.
Cooper River Plant – South Carolina
The Cooper River Site, part of the Cooper River Business Community, is nestled deep in the low-country of South Carolina. Located approximately 30 miles north of Charleston, the site was a thriving rice plantation until the Civil War. Parts of the site were designated as a hunting preserve in 1909. Trails were cleared through the bald cypress swamp and wildflowers were planted in 1927. In 1932, 163 acres of the magnificent plantation, known today as Cypress Gardens, were opened to the public. Cypress Gardens expanded over time to include a butterfly house, fresh water aquarium and reptile center, antique rose garden and daylily display garden.
Though the properties mesh together as if still one, most visitors to the pristine Cypress Gardens location are not aware that the DuPont Cooper River Site operates within the area. Of the 2,034 acres that the Cooper River Site maintains, approximately 1,700 acres remain as woodlands, wetlands and marshland. Similar wildlife species frequent the Cooper River area and Cypress Gardens, including bluebirds, wild turkeys, wood ducks, herons, egrets, hawks, osprey, deer, raccoon, bobcat and even alligators. In 2002, DuPont voluntarily donated 1,205 acres of land to the Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust in Berkeley County, South Carolina, as a conservation easement.
In order to be an environmentally friendly leader in the manufacturing industry and in the community, DuPont set a site goal to reduce emissions and waste generation to zero. A dedicated employee wildlife habitat committee works hard every day to make this goal a reality. To increase the quality of habitat available to local wildlife, the committee effectively manages 15 different food plots, plants native tree species on-site and creates optimal wild turkey habitat with the aid of controlled burns. Flora and fauna inventories are consistently updated. The committee also maintains 65 bluebird boxes on the property and installed two sets of purple martin houses totaling 24 gourds. These boxes are actively used by multiple species of birds and are carefully monitored by employee volunteers.
The Cooper River wildlife habitat committee is currently working to increase employee and community awareness of wildlife. A site map displaying the locations of nesting spots and habitat areas was developed and distributed to employees. Relationships with other local industrial teams are also maintained to coordinate and enhance wildlife activities.
DeLisle Plant – Pass Christian, Mississippi
The DuPont DeLisle Plant is located on the westernmost side of Harrison County on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The property spans 2,600 acres, of which 2,200 acres remain undeveloped. The region consists mostly of forest and lake areas. Of particular interest is Blake Lake, which occupies a large seven-acre area and was initially identified as a place of high habitat value.
The primary goals of the DeLisle Plant's wildlife team include enhancing habitat for wildlife, involving the community and state agencies on area wildlife projects, and promoting environmental awareness for plant employees and area residents. The team has already made progress in this direction with the initiation of their bird habitat project and tree plantings. Nest boxes have been installed for purple martins and bluebirds, and the team works to protect the site's least tern nesting area from disruption. Bird box monitoring is conducted by the wildlife team on a monthly basis.
In addition, the team obtained trees from the Mississippi Urban Forest Council, including shumard oak, water oak and longleaf pine, to plant along the building's main entrance and roadway. The team reports a 90% survival rate for the trees. Native flowers were also planted at the entrance and the team plans to further develop its native habitat by eradicating invasive Chinese tallow from the area. For more information on DuPont Company’s DeLisle Plant, visit http://www2.dupont.com/DeLisle/en_US/index.html.
Ft. Madison Plant – Fort Madison, Iowa
The Fort Madison site occupies approximately 110 acres, of which 40 acres are available for wildlife habitat enhancement projects. Vegetation found on-site is comprised mostly of native grassland species, with 23 acres of reestablished native prairie. There are also eleven acres of reforested lands, an eight-acre arboretum of native trees and six acres of wildlife food plots to supplement foraging for local wildlife.
Fifteen site employees and two community volunteers assisted with designing and planting the site's arboretum. The arboretum plantings, which typically occur on Earth Day each year, total 270 trees of 16 different species of hardwood trees. The trees receive supplemental watering during the summer, herbicidal weed control to reduce competition and pruning in the winter. Site employees plan for additional projects to enhance the wildlife habitats as the trees mature, providing additional shade and nesting spots. The tree species planted are intended to provide an abundance of acorns and other nuts and berries for wildlife. Wildlife commonly seen in the area includes moles, rabbits, squirrels and songbirds.
The wildlife team is attempting to enhance a mature hardwood forest along the southwest property line. Efforts include thinning trees and girdling and removing unwanted species such as non-native invasive Chinese and Siberian elm and Amur honeysuckle in hopes that this will allow the mature hardwoods to capitalize on available resources. The project began in 2006 and monitoring shows that hardwood tree growth improved as of 2008. The woody debris collected from pruning, thinning and removal is used on the edge of this stand to create habitat components for small mammals, reptiles and amphibians in the form of brush piles.
The 23-acre native prairie area was established in 1996. The Lee County Chapter of Pheasants Forever performs biannual prescribed burns on the prairie to maintain the native prairie species. The wildlife team plans to inter-seed more perennial forbs in the prairie. Another smaller prairie area is planned for creation in the southern area of the site.
Six acres of food plots, consisting of sorghum, milo, sunflowers and corn, were planted in 1997 to provide food and cover to a variety of mammal, bird and insect species. Due to the floods this area experienced in 2008, food plots will not be planted this year because the soil is saturated with moisture; however, planting will resume next year if the land is suitable.
Other future projects under consideration include the creation of a nest box monitoring program, planting a stand of eastern red cedar, planting a shrub wind break along the southern edge of the existing prairie and creating an American plum/cherry thicket along the western boundary of the site. The Fort Madison site further demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship in its enrollment in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Environmental Performance Track Program.
Parlin Plant – Parlin, New Jersey
The Parlin Plant is a manufacturing facility located on 350 acres, of which 140 acres are available for wildlife habitat enhancement. The wildlife management plan focuses on six goals: adapt the Old Landfill area into the wildlife management plan, enhance the pump and treat set-up area for wildlife, provide habitat enhancements at the equalization pond, monitor natural nesting areas, incorporate wildlife friendly and native vegetation into open areas of the manufacturing site to provide both aesthetic and habitat improvements to the developed portions of the site, provide educational and recreational experiences within the scope of the habitat enhancement project, and incorporate public awareness and feedback opportunities.
Presently, there are over 30 nest boxes located throughout the site for screech owls, bluebirds, wrens, wood ducks, purple martins and woodpeckers. The wildlife team regularly monitors these boxes as well as natural nests on-site. In addition to the bird boxes, there are several seed feeders and birdbaths strategically located throughout the property.
The wildlife team continues to promote environmental awareness among its employees and community members. Over 80 employee volunteers are active in creating gardens that attract wildlife while beautifying the surrounding areas in several locations around the site. The Parlin Plant continues to engage the Community Advisory Panel with the overall objective of establishing a positive dialogue with the Sayreville community. The site also provides open access to local schools and civic groups.
Washington Works Plant – Washington, West Virginia
Washington Works covers 2,084 acres along the Ohio River. Established in 1988, the site's Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Committee (WHEC) continues to implement enhancement projects on the property, which includes nearby Blennerhassett Island. Community outreach programs are held at the site as well, including participation in the WV Youth Conservation Day and the Wildlife Diversity Day at the State Capitol, both of which are sponsored by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR).
The nest box monitoring program is the longest continuous effort by the team. WHEC members and other volunteers, including family members and local Cub Scout dens, actively monitor over 70 nest boxes for bluebirds, tree swallows, chickadees and tufted titmice. Newer additions to the program include two kestrel boxes, two wood duck boxes, four purple martin houses and a bat box. The nest box program is active year-round, with maintenance work done in the spring, monitoring throughout the summer, cleaning and planning for replacement boxes in late fall, and the building of new nest boxes for replacements and giveaways throughout the winter.
Opened to the public on Earth Day in 1996, the nature trail on-site was developed and is actively maintained by WHEC members. Boy Scouts carry out service projects as part of their Eagle Scout requirements, and Cub Scouts and a local bird club visit on field trips. WHEC members document trees and wildflower species along the trail. There are also ongoing efforts to both enhance wildlife habitat, in the construction of brush piles, as well as to enhance the environmental education aspects for visitors through the placement of pamphlets at the trailhead and labels on trees.
The team has begun preparations for a native warm-season grass meadow to replace current non-native cool-season grass monocultures. The WHEC members plan a one-acre demonstration plot at the head of the nature trail as well as a 20-acre, large-scale habitat enhancement. Site cleanup and a prescribed burn occurred in 2006, and the project is on-track for completion in the near future.
Other DuPont Sites
Other DuPont sites with certified wildlife habitats are located in Tamaulipas, Mexico; Asturias, Spain; Deepwater, New Jersey; Fayetteville, North Carolina; Hopewell, Virginia; LaPlace, Louisiana; New Johnsonville, Tennessee; Contern, Luxembourg; Newark, Delaware; Richmond, Virginia, and Wilmington, Delaware.
