Conservation in Charm City – A Conservation Conference Recap

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For WHC members, staff, partners and programs, a trip to a new city is not complete without a tour of the conservation and community engagement efforts happening in the area. At this year’s WHC Conservation Conference, this tour was accomplished via a mainstage panel featuring representatives from the National Aquarium, Biohabitats, the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore and Urban Wood Economy, moderated by WHC President Margaret O’Gorman. The panelists discussed building trust with local communities, increasing engagement and co-designing projects with the community. 

Curtis Bennett, Director of Equity and Community Engagement at the National Aquarium started the discussion focusing on the importance of psychological safety when working with communities. He defined this as “moving at the speed of trust” – understanding that building trust with communities can take years to build and seconds to destroy.  

Bennett also honed in on the value of actively listening to communities’ needs and recognizing that spaces hold value to community members even when it may not be immediately apparent to potential corporate partners. Trusting that residents are the experts in their own neighborhood means centering and valuing people’s lived experiences, and ensures that corporations, foundations and other external entities build a strong foundation of trust and respect.  

Tanaira Cullens, Environmental Scientist at Biohabitats and contributor to the Baltimore Ecosystem Study, echoed this sentiment and recommended communicating with community members in a way that best reaches them by using plain language and avoiding unfamiliar acronyms. She also recommended researching the most commonly spoken languages in a community and creating written materials in those languages, as well as ensuring that individuals who are Deaf or head of hearing have meaningful access to educational materials and events.  

On the topic of making learning accessible, Adam Lindquist, Vice President of the Healthy Harbor Initiative with the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, spoke on the role of Mr. Trash Wheel in inspiring learning. This trash interceptor decorated with two large, googly eyes has been operating in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor since 2014. Lindquist explained that the popularity and novelty of Mr. Trash Wheel increases the community’s awareness of the trash they’re generating, encouraging them to reduce their waste and find creative ways to recycle. Mr. Trash Wheel’s fan following even led to the creation of The Order of the Wheel, a “not-so-secret” society where members pledge to reduce usage of single-use plastics and clean up litter. This nod to the community’s enjoyment of Mr. Trash Wheel further increases the community’s connection to their local watershed. 

In addition to feeling connected to the harbor, community members also tend to have deep connections with the trees around them, explained Jennifer Judd, Director of Partnership and Outreach at Urban Wood Economy. For Urban Wood Economy, an organization that repurposes used wood from construction sites as well as down urban trees, acknowledging the community’s connection to these trees was paramount. Judd explained that in addition to capturing carbon and promoting reuse of materials, reusing urban wood also creates jobs, thereby reinvesting in the community. By working as partners with community members, Judd explained that Urban Wood Economy can serve as the “glue” of an urban wood reuse project, providing logistical support when the community has a vision for repurposing local trees. 

A common refrain throughout the panel discussion was the importance of soliciting feedback in a manner that respects the community’s involvement. Bennett discussed the critical value of ensuring that community members have an active role in co-creating conservation or education projects, and the panelists each spoke on how to solicit feedback, adjust curricula or solve unexpected issues without taking ownership of the project away from its community stakeholders. Cullens closed with a helpful reminder to companies unsure about how to start making meaningful connections with the community. “Community engagement does not need to be a burden,” she said. “It can also be a benefit to your company’s bottom line.” 

Connect with the panelists on LinkedIn: 

Learn more about community-first environmental action: https://tandemglobal.org/knowledge-resource/community-first-environmental-action-white-paper/ 

Sylvia Baffour: Cultivating Resilience in Nature and Ourselves – A Conservation Conference Recap

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Motivational speaker, author and executive coach Sylvia Baffour is no stranger to the beauty and diversity of nature around the world, having traveled to and lived in more than 20 countries. When she presented a keynote address at WHC Conservation Conference 2023, she began by expressing her appreciation for the work that WHC members and partners do every day to support the majesty of the earth.  

“It brings me great comfort to know that every single day, you are diligently working towards developing and implementing conservation programs and initiatives in very innovative ways,” Baffour said. “I appreciate the fact that, as part of WHC, you are working diligently to bridge the gap between environmental conservation and corporate interests – which isn’t always an easy dance.” Baffour’s appreciation for Conference attendees went beyond these remarks, as she ended up staying the rest of the day at the event, signing books, chatting with corporate conservationists and even celebrating at the evening’s Awards Dinner.  

Author of I Dare You to Care and one of HubSpot’s Top 15 female motivational speakers, Baffour has a wealth of knowledge on topics like emotional intelligence, diversity and inclusion and — in the case of her talk at WHC Conservation Conference — resilience. How does resilience relate to the everyday work of conservation professionals? Baffour explained that there are two parts to resilience: work to sustain the planet and work to support ourselves. These two elements work in tandem with each other — conservationists are cultivating resilience for the planet through restoration efforts, and as stewards of the planet, we also need to focus on our own resilience. Much like putting on one’s own oxygen mask before helping others, corporate conservation professionals must be able to build their own resilience in order to better support the resilience of nature. 

Resilience, Baffour explained, is not about trying to control external impacts that are inherently uncontrollable, but rather learning how to manage these impacts internally. We all face challenges and uncertainty in the course of our work, but during her keynote, Baffour shared several habits to foster resilience that each of us can practice to prepare for difficult moments.  

She started by challenging the audience to commit to failing better. In line with WHC President Margaret O’Gorman’s State of Corporate Conservation, Baffour quoted poet Smauel Beckett’s aphorism: “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.” Baffour went on to share her experience being mentored by Dr. Maya Angelou, who told Baffour she would often write for eight hours only to find that just a single sentence was salvageable.  

Similarly, a long-term commitment to biodiversity uplift requires potentially failing and learning from this failure. Baffour stressed the importance of coming back to a project — a pollinator garden, for example — season after season, recognizing why it failed and starting over, all the while learning from the experience. By committing to failing better, whether by scrapping eight hours’ worth of writing or restarting a pollinator garden, we grow and improve.  

Another of Baffour’s resilience habits is to anticipate one’s own disruptors. She recounted eating at an outdoor restaurant in her home country of Ghana when a lizard crawled up her pant leg and Baffour, who bravely admitted to a room full of wildlife enthusiasts that she has a fear of reptiles, panicked in her efforts to safely free it. Lizards, Baffour said, are her disruptor, and each of us can name and recognize the “lizards” in our own work — external disruptions that invade our space and throw us off balance. For conservation professionals, perhaps those look like “reporting requirement lizards” or “boss interference lizards.” But by preparing for these disruptors in calm moments, one can learn how to react to them when they appear. 

The way we think and speak, even to ourselves, helps build resilience, as Baffour showed when she discussed shifting our internal questions from “barricades” to “gateways.” When things are going wrong, she explained, we tend to ask barricading questions — those typically starting with “why?” These questions limit our thinking, so Baffour suggested reframing them to focus on solutions. Instead of a corporate conservation professional wondering: “Why can’t I get more support in my organization for this conservation program?” Sylvia recommended asking: “What can I do to get more people interested in this program?” This simple reframe from “why” to “how” focuses on finding a solution. 

As Sylvia reminded the audience, happiness is something we get to decide on ahead of time — and so is resilience. By choosing resilience, conservation professionals are not only supporting their own well-being, but they are also building a stronger, more resilient world for the habitats and species they’re protecting. 

New White Paper Illustrates How the Automotive Industry Can Employ Nature-Based Solutions to Prevent Pollution

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BETHESDA, MD, August 17, 2023 – WHC (Wildlife Habitat Council) offers a new white paper available for download today, Nature-based Solutions to Prevent Pollution and Support Biodiversity | Opportunities for the Automotive Industry. This white paper is sponsored by General Motors and is available for free on our website.

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are actions that utilize elements of nature to protect and restore ecosystems. In addition to preserving biodiversity of wildlife and plant species, NbS also deliver environmental co-benefits such as climate change resilience and improved air, water and soil quality, as well as community benefits such as recreation, aesthetics and environmental education.

Of particular use to many industries are the pollution prevention capabilities of NbS. Due to company-wide, national and international environmental goals, many automotive manufacturers have been going above and beyond regulatory requirements by incorporating pollution prevention strategies throughout the supply chain and manufacturing process. NbS are another set of tools that auto manufacturers and their suppliers can deploy to prevent pollution.

This white paper explores how the automotive industry can implement nature-based solutions to prevent pollution. Case studies from WHC-certified programs as well as automotive manufacturers around the world illustrate how nature-based solutions reduce pollution and offer co-benefits for biodiversity and communities.

Featured case studies include:

  • BMW: Site Operations Center, South Carolina, USA
  • Bridgestone: Aiken County Off Road Tire Plant, South Carolina, USA
  • Chrysler/Stellantis: Peter’s Pond, Indiana, USA
  • DENSO: DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc., Tennessee, USA
  • Ford: Ford Rouge Truck Plant, Michigan, USA
  • General Motors: World Headquarters, Michigan, USA
  • Honda: HondaWoods, Tokyo, Japan
  • Subaru: National Headquarters, New Jersey, USA
  • Toyota: PEMC, Kentucky, USA
  • Volkswagen: Enterprise South Industrial Park, Tennessee, USA
  • WM: Southern Services Landfill, Tennessee, USA

This white paper is part of a series of deliverables supported by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with particular focus on EPA region 4, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and six indigenous tribes. Throughout this project, WHC has partnered with the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP) to support the automotive sector and its supply chain in biodiversity uplift efforts.

Sponsored by General Motors, this white paper includes a foreword that states, “When nature-based solutions are designed into our overall business practice, we can develop strategies to be more resilient regarding the resources we all rely on to operate in today’s competitive landscape. Together, we as an industry can help to improve biodiversity and local ecosystems in our communities. Nature is everyone’s business.”

About WHC:

For 35 years, WHC has been promoting and certifying ecological stewardship action on corporate lands through partnerships and education. Since only 10-15% of the world’s land surface is protected, private lands provide an essential opportunity for restoring and protecting biodiversity. As the only international conservation NGO focused exclusively on the private sector, WHC provides a framework for voluntary conservation action on a wide variety of corporate lands. WHC’s corporate members represent some of the leading national and multinational corporations seeking to support sustainable ecosystems and the communities that surround them. These efforts have resulted in more than 1,000 certified programs across 47 states and 28 countries.

stars in the night sky

Turn Off the Lights This Summer: Protect Wildlife by Reducing Light Pollution

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A warm summer night is the perfect time for stargazing, but anyone who has looked up at the night sky in the vicinity of a city or town has most likely noticed a halo of hazy light that seems to mask the stars and brighten the sky. This effect, called skyglow, is due to light pollution – excessive artificial light emanating from populated areas that not only dims the appearance of stars but also has serious impacts on wildlife. This blog explores the detrimental effects of light pollution as well as solutions that corporate conservation programs can employ to mitigate light pollution. 

What is light pollution? 

While air and water pollution are due to foreign contaminants entering an ecosystem and causing harmful effects, light pollution is not caused by unnatural pollutants, but rather the presence of inefficient or excessive artificial light. Because of this distinction from other types of pollution, it is sometimes referred to as artificial light at night. More than 80% of the world’s population lives under light pollution, with 99% of U.S. and European populations affected. Singapore is the most light-polluted country in the world; residents’ eyes are unable to fully adjust to darkness, and none are able to see the Milky Way. 

Light pollution takes several forms. The aforementioned skyglow results in an artificial glowing in the night sky. Glare is bright light pollution that causes discomfort and difficulty seeing, while clutter refers to a group of bright lights, such as streetlights or exterior building lights, that can create distractions for humans and animals alike. Light trespass describes artificial light that spills into an unwanted area, such as floodlights illuminating a neighbor’s yard. Each of these types of artificial light at night is a detriment to humans, wildlife and the environment. 

How does light pollution impact wildlife? 

Natural light helps orient the life cycles and behaviors of wildlife. When light pollution interferes, these behaviors are interrupted, vastly impacting not only the lives of individual species but also the ecosystem as a whole. For example, light at night disrupts the natural rhythms of nocturnal animals, affecting predators’ hunting opportunities and prey’s ability to find cover. Light pollution also affects the reproduction of wetland amphibians like frogs and toads, who croak at night to attract a mate. Excessive light interrupts the darkness and therefore their mating song. 

Growing research indicates that light pollution also impacts the ability of migratory birds to navigate. An excessive amount of artificial light may influence migratory birds into beginning their migration too early, as they misinterpret artificial light at night for longer days. Studies indicate that birds’ magnetic compasses are wavelength-dependent, and that red and white lights, which contain long-wavelength radiation, tend to disorient birds. 

While one might not expect light pollution to penetrate the surface of the water, it can even impact marine ecosystems. Light pollution from ships and offshore structures disrupts the behavior of corals and other marine creatures. In some cases, artificial light attracts barnacles, which attach to manmade structures and cause property damage. 

Ultimately, the effects of light pollution on individual species lead to greater impacts within the entire ecosystem. Brightly lit areas may drive certain species away, leading to population fragmentation, and the disruption in species’ reproduction affects the food web, as any predators relying on this species for food will have fewer options. Because of these broad-scale changes, light pollution can also lead to the proliferation of invasive species — for example, cheatgrass, which has been observed to grow in urban areas where more streetlights are present. 

How can corporate landowners reduce light pollution? 

Corporate sites such as office buildings, construction facilities and factories often include excessive interior and exterior lighting that can impact wildlife. The following tips can support corporate landowners in reducing light pollution while also ensuring the safety of employees and the public: 

  • Only use light when needed. Set timers or install motion sensors that turn off interior and exterior lights when the building or exterior is not being used. This tip not only serves to reduce light pollution, but it also helps lower electricity usage. 
  • Install blinds on windows to reduce light trespass from building interiors. 
  • Use amber lighting or lighting below 3000 Kelvins to limit detrimental effects on wildlife.  
  • Keep lighting low to the ground as much as possible. For wall- or pole-mounted lights, use shields or hoods to direct light downward, thereby preventing glare and light trespass. Additionally, ensure that lighting is not mounted any higher than the building or nearby trees.  
  • Lower or completely turn off exterior signage, parking lot lights or architectural lighting after 11 pm.  

Making these small but sustainable changes to the lighting at corporate sites can support wildlife and help keep the night sky dark. 

WHC Welcomes Anna Willingshofer as New Chief Science and Innovation Officer

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BETHESDA, MD, July 10, 2023 – WHC (Wildlife Habitat Council) is proud to announce the appointment of Anna Willingshofer as the organization’s new Chief Science and Innovation Officer. Anna will be leading cutting-edge strategic initiatives to advance nature conservation through science-based solutions.

Anna has over 15 years of experience in the areas of biodiversity, climate change and infrastructure. Anna boasts an impressive professional background, having collaborated with prominent organizations such as The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the German Cooperation Agency (GIZ). Her invaluable contributions have played a pivotal role in accomplishing noteworthy achievements like the Global Biodiversity Framework, as well as leading groundbreaking projects across Latin America, the Caribbean, and beyond. She holds a master’s degree in International Relations, specializing in Climate and Renewable Energy Finance, from the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management.

“Now more than ever, it’s important for different sectors to unite and take decisive action towards making a lasting impact on nature. Partnering with the private sector is key to making a significant difference in conservation efforts. Innovative solutions can be invested in to ensure a positive outcome for biodiversity that will benefit future generations. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting difference, and I’m honored to be a part of WHC’s mission to bring businesses and biodiversity together,” said Anna.

“Anna’s arrival at WHC comes at the most opportune time as we build on our over 3 decades of experience to respond to the need for business to work smart and fast towards global nature goals,” said Margaret O’Gorman, President of WHC. “Anna’s breadth of experience at the various intersections of business, nature and policy will make her a valuable addition to our team.”

About WHC:

WHC has been working at the nexus of business and nature for 35 years. It is the only international NGO focused exclusively on enabling private sector action for nature. WHC builds strategies and frameworks that connect corporate ambition for nature to robust action on corporate lands. WHC works with mostly Fortune 500 corporations, traversing value chains, jurisdictions and geographies. It seeks to integrate nature, especially biodiversity, with climate, equity and engagement to support sustainable ecosystems and healthy communities. WHC’s corporate members represent some of the leading national and multinational corporations seeking to support sustainable ecosystems and the communities that surround them. These efforts have resulted in more than 1,000 certified programs across 47 states and 28 countries.