Charles City landfill earns certification

Waste Management’s Charles City County Landfill received Wildlife at WorkSM certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council during its 24th annual symposium “Working for a Greener World” on Nov. 9.

The Charles City landfill is one of 46 Waste Management facilities to receive certifications for its habitat protection program

“Wildlife Habitat Council members continue to raise the bar for conservation success,” said WHC president Margaret O’Gorman in a press release. “We connect corporations, conservation and community to create habitat and increase biodiversity.

“The programs being honored today are the best examples of our model at work,” she said. “Congratulations to Waste Management’s Charles City County Landfill for its successful efforts towards habitat enhancement and biodiversity.”

The wildlife team at Charles City’s landfill manages 500-acres of the 1,000-acre property to provide wildlife habitat enhancement for wildlife diversity and educational and recreational opportunities for the community. The site’s habitats include open field, woodland, a stream and six ponds. Every employee monitors the facility for wildlife and contacts the wildlife team when species are located on site.

The wildlife team started an artificial nest box program for cavity-nesting birds in 2009, and constructed two songbird nest boxes. The nest boxes are monitored monthly by employees and detailed monitoring logs are kept.

Ducks Unlimited provided 10 wood duck nest boxes and assisted the wildlife team in selecting appropriate locations. The wildlife team installed the boxes around two ponds dedicated to wood duck habitat and added predator guards to increase the success of the boxes.

The northern bobwhite quail is considered a species of greatest conservation need in Virginia. A number of employees enjoy monitoring quail, so the wildlife team developed a quail habitat enhancement plan in partnership with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

“Waste Management is honored to receive this WHC certification in recognition of the continued success of our environmental efforts,” said Brian McClung, district manager of the Charles City County Landfill. “Our partnership with WHC engages our team and our community in wildlife enhancement and land stewardship initiatives that prove to be a valuable experience for all.”