AriensCo received the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) Conservation certification after restoring and conserving 150 acres of natural lands at its headquarters in Brillion, Wisconsin. Because of this rescue, it is expected for the animals to remain in their natural habitat.
WHC runs a certification program that independently verifies environmental programs managed by a variety of companies around the world.
This program is the only voluntary sustainability standard that is designed for broad-based biodiversity enhancement and conservation education activities on corporate landholdings.
In AriensCo press release about the recognition, WCH President, Margaret O’Gorman said, “The WHC Conservation Certification program at the Brillion campus is a model of corporate conservation on a manufacturing site. Recognizing the importance of green space for employees, AriensCo has created a thriving habitat to support wildlife, recreation and agriculture that meets the stringent requirements for WHC Certification.”
Currently, WHC helps facilitate conservation programs in 47 U.S. states and 28 countries. The WHC Certification is the first step in managing the project and there is a growing trend of companies putting in efforts to maintain lands for people to enjoy.
“The biggest motivation for AriensCo for this project is the future and health of our community and employees,” said Dan Ariens, AriensCo chairman and CEO in a press release. “We have our roots here in Brillion. We want to protect this land, the people and the wildlife that call it home, not just for the present, but for generations to come. We are committed to this project’s success and excited by all of the benefits it will bring to plants, animals and people alike.”
The company has committed to restoring 86 acres of prairie oak savanna, with the remaining 64 acres being forests and wetlands. The company is partnering with ecologists from McMahon Associates on a variety of solutions to restore the land and native vegetation.
The focus on this project is to restore and preserve the land for plants and animals so that people can enjoy the area.
Some benefits to restoring habitats include:
- Reducing air pollution
- Protecting essential recourses,
- Increase the sense of community for the people of Brillion and visitors
- More appealing work environment for AriensCO employees.
“The history of AriensCo and the history of Brillion, Wisconsin, are interconnected,” Ariens said. “For five generations, the Ariens family has invested in this great city that supports us. By restoring and preserving this natural habitat, future generations will be able to enjoy the many benefits of connecting with the natural ecosystem of Wisconsin.”
