Habitat project provides shelter for waterfowl and other migratory birds
HAMILTON, ON, Dec. 11, 2012 /CNW/ - Waste Management of Canada is the 2012 recipient of the prestigious "Wings Over Wetlands" award from the Wildlife Habitat Council and Ducks Unlimited for its stewardship of the City of Hamilton's Glanbrook landfill site.
The annual award recognizes corporations that create and protect wetland habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds. The Wildlife Habitat Council is a non-profit, non-lobbying organization that brings together business and conservation through a focus on healthy ecosystems.
The 219-hectare Glanbrook facility, which has been in operation since 1980, is owned by the City of Hamilton and operated by Waste Management of Canada. It processes municipal solid waste and composts leaf and yard waste.
Waste Management began the Glanbrook waterfowl habitat project in 2009 when it partnered with the local Conservation Authority to determine the most effective types of bird houses and mallard tubes. Waste Management sponsored the construction of the bird houses and a local business, Woodburn Equestrian Stables, donated the installation work. Currently there are 13 bluebird houses, four wood duck houses, three mallard tubes and a purple martin house on the property, with more to be placed in the spring of 2013.
The results have exceeded expectations. "We are seeing species we hadn't seen around there. It is amazing how many types of waterfowl have showed up and in what volumes," said Ron Wright, Waste Management's manager of the Glanbrook facility. "It has certainly opened my eyes to what is possible for attracting species back to a landfill site."
Nicole Willett, Manager of Public and Municipal Affairs for Waste Management added that the site's owner, the City of Hamilton, deserves full accolades for allowing Waste Management to undertake the project.
"The City of Hamilton worked together with Waste Management of Canada to create wildlife habitat at the Glanbrook Landfill Site," said Rob Conley, Supervisor of Landfills, City of Hamilton. "Working with both Waste Management and the Glanbrook Conservation Authority, we have a multi-year plan to attract all forms of wildlife back to this area. Wildlife uses the landfill buffer area as a safe haven. Both the City and Waste Management have seen all types of wildlife increase in the vicinity of the landfill in the past 3 years since our work began. The City is extremely happy with the way Waste Management has implemented some of these initiatives, including the bird houses, mallard tubes and purple martin house that have been added to the site. We are extremely happy with this award and inspired to continue with the plan to further enhance the site."
As part of its operating contract with the City of Hamilton, Waste Management had previously obtained 'Wildlife at Work' certification for the landfill site from the Wildlife Habitat Council. These certifications recognize outstanding native habitat management and environmental education programs developed through partnerships with local organizations. The site was recently recertified for another three years. Waste Management is the only waste company in Canada to have all its landfills certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council. The parent company, Waste Management Inc. has set a sustainability goal to win Wildlife Habitat Council certification for 100 sites and 25,000 acres by 2020. Waste Management has been recognized with prestigious awards from the Wildlife Habitat Council in the past.
About Waste Management
Waste Management of Canada is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services, offering advanced residential, commercial and industrial collection, recycling and disposal services throughout Canada.
Waste Management of Canada employs 3,400 people at 116 operating locations in nine provinces, servicing over 4.5 million residential customers and 170,000 industrial and commercial customers. Waste Management of Canada owns and/or operates 20 recycling recovery facilities and 18 landfills.
A subsidiary of Waste Management Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, the company is backed by the knowledge, experience, and resources of North America's largest environmental services organization. To learn more information about Waste Management visit www.wmcanada.com.
About Wildlife Habitat Council
The Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) is a nonprofit, non-lobbying organization dedicated to increasing the quality and amount of wildlife habitat on corporate, private and public lands. Established 24 years ago, 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, biodiverse and sustainable environment. To learn more, visit www.wildlifehc.org.
Image with caption: "Build them and they will come. A trio of Wood Ducks (two males and a female) perched on one of the bird houses placed by Waste Management of Canada at the City of Hamilton's Glanbrook municipal landfill site. The company won a prestigious ecology award for its waterfowl habitat project. (CNW Group/Waste Management, Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121211_C8143_PHOTO_EN_21857.jpg
SOURCE: Waste Management, Inc.
Patricia Best, Cohn & Wolfe
416-258-3783
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