– The Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center received certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council for its contributions to wildlife habitat conservation, it was announced today.
The certification was provided at the WHC’s 19th annual symposium, The Value of Green, in Baltimore. Located on 297 active wildlife acres, the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center (SVLRC) habitat consists of varied grasslands, open valleys and canyons. The site is now one of 33 Waste Management landfills certified by WHC, bringing the total protected wildlife area at these landfills to more than 19,733 acres.
"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 Waste Management for stepping up to meet the challenges of creating a healthy and biodiverse natural world."
At SVLRC, the wildlife team installed eight owl boxes and five raptor perches to the site with the assistance of local Boy Scouts and a local avian expert. In January 2007, the Ojai Raptor Center placed three rehabilitated barn owls into the Simi Valley nesting area. Routine monitoring surveys indicate the presence of owl activity. The wildlife team implemented the owl habitat as a means to eliminate the use of rodenticide on site, and continues to maintain and enhance the nesting area.
Future plans for the Simi wildlife team include the introduction of native species and control of invasive plant species. Plans were also developed to create educational hiking trails and pollinator gardens.
"At Waste Management, we understand that our operations must respect and complement the surrounding environment," said Mike Smith, market area general manager for Waste Management of Ventura County. "I am proud of our team for seeking innovative solutions that enhance the environment for wildlife while minimizing the impact to the local landscape."
Also at the conference, eight other Waste Management landfills were certified as wildlife habitat and three other landfills previously certified received re-certification status from WHC. One landfill received certification in the Corporate Lands for Learning program, and another Waste Management landfill received re-certification.
WHC's certified wildlife habitat programs focus on restoration, creation, protection and enhancement of habitat and individual species management by establishing Wildlife at Work programs. Certification criteria are stringent. Sites must demonstrate that programs have been active for at least one year with a management plan that lists goals, objectives and prescriptions and complete documentation of all program activities.
The Certification Review Committee, a panel of WHC wildlife biologists and staff, reviews the materials for certification eligibility and recognizes deserving projects under an appropriate category. WHC offers two separate categories - Wildlife at Work certification and Corporate Lands for Learning certification. The lengthy application process for certification requires:
- At least one site visit by a WHC biologist;
- Submission of an application form and community references; and
- Submission of a management plan supported by photographs and documentation of program monitoring and maintenance.
Photos are available on request.
About Wildlife Habitat Council
The Wildlife Habitat Council is a non-profit, non-lobbying organization dedicated to increasing the quality and amount of wildlife habitat on corporate, private and public lands. 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. More than 2 million acres in 48 states, Puerto Rico and 16 other countries are managed for wildlife through WHC-assisted projects. For more information, visit WHC online at www.wildlifehc.org.
About Waste Management
Waste Management provides Ventura County with recycling, trash hauling and solid waste disposal through G.I. Industries and the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center. Waste Management has owned and operated G.I. Industries since 1998 and the SVLRC site since 1983 and employs more than 230 people in Ventura County. The SVLRC provides approximately 60% of Ventura County's daily refuse disposal needs. The company operates a "green power" program at the site that generates enough power for 2,500 homes, and clean-burning LNG powers 38 of its trucks. Waste Management is a significant contributor to area community groups. For more information visit our website www.keepingventuracountyclean.com.
