BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vulcan
Materials Company announced today that it has received
certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) for its
efforts to protect, enhance, and monitor wildlife and habitat
restoration projects at Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve.
The Vulcan-Ruffner Mountain Project is one of 44 Vulcan sites
with WHC-certifications across the country. The Vulcan-Ruffner
Mountain partnership began in 2002 when the employees of Vulcan's
Corporate Headquarters, located in Birmingham, Alabama adopted this off-site,
public area and partnered with the Ruffner staff. The Wildlife
Habitat Council first certified the program at Vulcan-Ruffner
Mountain in 2003.
Vulcan employees volunteer regularly at the unique 1,038-acre
nature preserve. To earn conservation certification, the
Vulcan-Ruffner team actively manages 20 acres of the site for
invasive species eradication. The team also works on habitat
restoration by propagating native plants in an on-site greenhouse
with raised seed beds for transplanting. Populations of
cavity-nesting birds are actively managed and monitored.
Vulcan's Ruffner Project Manager, Bill
Ledbetter, said, "I applaud our team's efforts to create a
vibrant and productive partnership between corporate, non-profit,
and community volunteers to work on protecting wildlife and native
habitat in Birmingham."
Ruffner Mountain's Land Conservation Manager, Jamie Nobles, said, "We at Ruffner have worked
for many years to improve habitat quality on the mountain. The
partnership we share with Vulcan Materials is essential to advance
our efforts in restoring the natural mountain ecology of Ruffner
Mountain, as well as to improve community involvement."
"The Vulcan-Ruffner Mountain Project is one of 177 programs
recognized this year as meeting the strict requirements of WHC
Conservation Certification," said Margaret
O'Gorman, President, WHC. "Companies and organizations
achieving WHC Conservation Certification, like Vulcan and Ruffner
Mountain are environmental leaders, voluntarily managing their
lands to support sustainable ecosystems and the communities that
surround them."
Created in 1988, the Wildlife Habitat Council helps large
landowners, particularly corporations, manage lands in an
ecologically sensitive manner for the benefit of wildlife and
native habitats. The Vulcan-Ruffner Mountain Project is the only
one of Vulcan's WHC projects that partners with a non-profit to
manage conservation projects on public lands.
About Vulcan Materials Company
Vulcan Materials Company, a member of the S&P 500 index, is the
nation's largest producer of construction aggregates and a major
producer of other construction materials. For additional
information see www.vulcanmaterials.com.
About Ruffner Mountain
Ruffner Mountain is a privately held 1,038 acre urban nature
preserve located in the heart of Birmingham, Alabama. For additional
information see www.ruffnermountain.org.
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 45 states, the
District of Columbia and 13
countries. www.wildlifehc.org
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SOURCE Vulcan Materials Company