AG 2005 05 23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~Cpl1JrJCJi WILDLIFE HABITAT COUNCIl:" FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 22, 2004 Contacts: Vanessa Kauffman, Wildlife Habitat Council, 301-588-8994, vkauffman@wildlifehc.org Tom Carroll, Vulcan Materials Company, 336-744-2032 VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL HABITAT CONSERVATION AWARD BALTIMORE, MD-Employees at Vulcan Materials Company's Gold Hill Quarry received international. recognition for their contributions to wildlife habitat conservation at the Wildlife Habitat Council's (WHC) 16th Annual Symposium, Beyond Borders: Reconciling Wildlife Needs & Human Activity. Vulcan Materials Company demonstrates its commitment to environmental stewardship and increasing native biodiversity by achieving habitat recertification at the Gold Hill Quarry. "Sixteen years ago, WHC was formed as a cooperative effort between corporations, communities and conservation organizations. Since then our shared mission has evolved and provided many advances in creating sustainable wildlife habitat. We congratulate Vulcan Materials Company on their efforts to help advance our initiatives to restore and enhance our natural resources. It is with this support that we can create a more ecologically sound and mutually beneficial environment for all," said Bill Howard, WHC President. The Gold Hill Quarry is located on approximately 430 acres in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Seven quarry employees assist in habitat enhancement and preservation activities on I 13 acres available for wildlife habitat management. Projects at the site incorporate nest box monitoring for cavity-nesting birds, maintaining food plots, planting wildflower gardens to attract butterflies, securing amphibian and reptile coverboards and conducting a survey ofthreatened and endangered species. Employees monitor sixteen bluebird and five wood duck nest boxes on-site. After each nesting season, the wildlife team evaluates the nest monitoring data and determines if any of the nest boxes should be relocated to enhance productivity. White-tailed deer, Canada geese, wild turkey and beavers. are regularly spotted on quarry property and the wildlife team made an effort to provide resources for these species. The team members planted three food plots throughout site to provide additional food sources for dove, wild turkey and other wildlife. Species planted in the food plots include clover, oat, millet and rye. The 1,800 square-foot wildflower garden maintained atthe quarry entrance area consists of day lilies, abelia and rose of Sharon. Future plans for the site include replanting an area with native apple trees and pear trees, reseeding deer and turkey food plots and expanding the nest box monitoring program to include other species such as purple martins, through a partnership with local Boy Scout and Cub Scout Troops. In addition, the wildlife team will review the findings of the threatened and endangered species survey and adopt programs to enhance the habitat of any identified species. The wildlife team also looks forward to full participation with the Central Carolina Amphibian and Reptile Initiative Coverboard Program, which is aimed at compiling data concerning the occurrence and abundance of amphibians and reptiles in the watershed. This will be accomplished by expanding partnership opportunities with program participants such as Davidson College, Pfeiffer University and Gray Stone Day School volunteers. -MORE- C-I 8737 Colesville Road, Suite 800, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 Tel: 301-588-8994. Fax: 301-588-4629 www.wildlifehc.org.WhC@wildlifehc.org