Practical or Pretty? Garden Enhancements that Benefit Wildlife

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The sun is shining, birds are chirping and new blades of grass are beginning to poke up through the brush. With spring approaching, now is the time to start planning a beautiful, beneficial garden. Native, pollinator-friendly plants serve as food and shelter for wildlife while improving aesthetics, and planting guides are an excellent resource to determine the best plants to include in a garden. 

But once the garden plot has been designated and the plant list has been determined, what about the human-devised enhancements? While it may be fun to paint a butterfly house or install a bird feeder, which of these garden additions are truly practical for native wildlife, and which are just pretty ornamentation? In this blog, we’ll explore common garden enhancements that provide valuable benefits for species as well as alternatives for some less-practical features.  

Flutter by the butterfly house  

Floating along on gusts of temperate wind, butterflies feel like a sure sign of spring. If the native plants in your garden are attracting butterflies, it may be tempting to get them to stay a little longer by constructing a butterfly house. But these slender structures, while pretty, don’t tend to be very popular with the target species. Instead, a butterfly house is often likely to end up a roach motel or a wasp haven. 

Instead, arrange a selection of flat rocks in an area that receives ample sunlight. Butterflies are ectothermic, which means they need heat from the sun to regulate their body heat, and if their body temperature drops too low, butterflies are unable to fly. Flat, warm rocks provide the perfect place for butterflies to flatten out their wings and warm up — and may be much more inviting than a butterfly house. 

Take a dip in the bird bath 

It is infinitely fun to watch birds splash around in a bird bath, and in addition to their entertainment and aesthetic values, these enhancements serve a very practical purpose for wildlife. The bathing aspect is just a small part of the function of bird baths – more practically, they provide safe drinking water. Especially in the hot summer months, a source of drinking water makes a space much more wildlife friendly. 

Bird bath location is key, as birds will prefer a bird bath where they feel safe. Installing a bird bath near trees or other vegetative cover gives birds a protected place to perch. Cover from trees will also keep the birth bath from getting too hot during the day and prevents algal growth. 

While designing a bird bath, consider adding water features for species beyond birds. Shallow puddles are suitable for bees and butterflies, and they are easy to construct using a large saucer, some sand and several small rocks. A few pieces of fruit or fruit juice can be added to further entice these species to your garden puddle. 

Welcome to the toad abode 

Toads are an unsung garden hero, as they eat common pests like mosquitos and slugs. Attracting toads to help address a pest problem may be a priority, and some gardeners want to give these visitors a permanent home in the form of a toad house. 

It can be a fun project to design and decorate a toad house — and if the house is made from non-toxic materials, it won’t be harmful — but it’s not a necessary step to ensure toads have a suitable habitat. 

Opting to use materials like rocks, sticks or leaf and brush piles can be effective too, as amphibians like toads often seek cover in these natural shelters. A simple piece of plywood or metal can easily become a coverboard, which provides warm conditions as well as cover from predators for a variety of reptiles and amphibians.  

Bird feeding frenzy 

As spring unfolds, so does an increase in bird activity. Migratory species are returning, and avians of all kinds are trying to attract a mate, build a nest and of course — find food. There is debate about the benefits of bird feeders, especially during times of the year when food sources may still be scarce.

There are several risks associated with bird feeders. As they attract a large number of different birds to a relatively small area, feeders can lead to a higher likelihood of birds contracting parasites or pathogens from each other. Also, a bird feeder’s proximity to windows could result in increased bird strikes. In general, introducing bird-safe window fixtures such as decals, tape or screens is a good practice to help protect birds from window collisions. 

Relying on nature rather than humans for food is generally a more sustainable option for wildlife, so including bird-friendly native plants in the garden is great way to help feed the birds. By summertime, when plants are in bloom and insects are plentiful, birds can usually find food without human assistance.

A place to nest, a place to roost 

It is estimated that millions of acres of bird habitat are lost each year. Along with this habitat loss comes a lack of access to nesting resources, which impacts bats as well as cavity-nesting birds. With both bat and bird populations experiencing declines worldwide, providing nest boxes for these species in or near a garden is a beneficial way to help their numbers rebound. 

Ideal nest box specifications depend on the location and the type of bird being targeted, but it is recommended that nest boxes be built from untreated wood and galvanized screws, with a sloped roof and drainage holes to keep the nest dry. Predator guards protect the young inside, and routine nest box monitoring provides data that can be submitted to community science initiatives to provide insight into the health of the population.  

Looking for more tips on constructing a nest box? Watch our on-demand webinar, and then enter your nesting structure in our contest by November 1!

If you’re interested in supporting other winged wildlife, bat boxes are a beneficial way to provide safe roosting places. The ideal location for a bat box is in an area where bats have been observed feeding. Mount a bat box on a building or large structure rather than a pole or tree, as these provide a consistent temperature for the interior of the box. Ensure the bottom of the bat box is at least 10 feet from the ground and 20-30 feet from any trees, and clean or repair the boxes in autumn or winter when they are not occupied. 

Part of the fun of planning a garden is deciding which enhancements will feature in it, and these tips can help ensure any garden additions this spring are both practical and pretty. 

Doing Our Part to Keep Them Here: Small Steps to Support Species of Concern

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At the end of 2023, 21 species were removed from the United States Endangered Species Act (ESA) list, officially denoting them as extinct. Species loss has a serious and widespread impact on biodiversity, from a reduction in vital ecosystem services like pollination to disruptions in the food chain.   

Because of the crucial importance of sustaining species threatened with extinction, countries across the globe have implemented anti-poaching laws, cooperative plans between agencies and financial assistance for conservation efforts. Initiatives like the ESA and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species have enacted policies to protect species of concern, with species like the giant panda and humpback whale exemplifying the success of these large-scale efforts. 

But international collaborations and legislation are not the only ways to protect endangered species. Even at a local level, corporate landowners can meet the needs of these species and help them thrive for many years to come. In this blog, we’ll explore simple actions corporations can take to support their nearby species of concern.  

Provide food and shelter with native plants 

Native plants provide numerous benefits for the environment — they reduce air pollution, require less water than ornamental species and beautify locations. In addition to these benefits, they also serve as food and shelter for many endangered species. For example, pollinators at risk of extinction depend on native flowering plants for food, while small mammals like the Vancouver Island marmot find shelter in native grasses and sedges.  

Corporate sites can help species of concern by determining the food and nesting needs of endangered species in their area and propagating or installing native plants that fulfill those needs. Even a small pollinator garden at an industrial park or a rain garden at a manufacturing site can provide crucial resources for endangered species.  

Control invasive species

Invasive species are plants or animals that have been introduced into an area where they are not native. As they have no natural predators or controls, invasive species tend to proliferate quickly, taking resources away from native species. For species of concern, invasives pose a threat by competing for already limited resources, with 42% of endangered species at risk of extinction due to invasive species. For example, garlic mustard is an invasive plant species throughout much of the United States and Canada, and its soil-altering properties and vast seed production means it pushes out the endangered American ginseng.  

By managing invasive flora and fauna, corporate sites can help the native ones prosper. Developing and adhering to a monitoring plan can alert a corporate landowner to the presence of an invasive species, and further steps like trapping, relocating or mowing the invasive species contribute to the health of endangered species. 

Stop using herbicides and pesticides 

While many large landholders opt to control unwanted (or even invasive) plant species and insects through the use of herbicides and pesticides, these substances bioaccumulate in organisms throughout the ecosystem, including species already at risk of extinction. This means that as an herbicide or pesticide moves through the food chain, its negative effects can build up and harm many of the species the chemical comes into contact with.  

The bald eagle is perhaps the most well-known example of the impact of pesticides. Due to its widespread use, the pesticide DDT contaminated waterways and the fish inhabiting them. Bald eagles then preyed on the impacted fish, ingesting the pesticide and producing brittle eggshells that did not allow for successful hatching. Thanks to legislation banning DDT, bald eagle populations have seen a resurgence in recent decades, and the species is no longer listed as endangered. 

The same solution that helped revive bald eagle populations applies to corporate sites as well — discontinuing the use of pesticides and herbicides. Implementing an herbicide- and pesticide-free policy supports the health of endangered species and the ecosystem as a whole. Integrated vegetation management techniques, such as hand-pulling, prescribed burns and the use of mulch and compost, can help companies control unwanted weeds without the use of chemicals. 

Make roadways safer  

It is estimated that 1 to 2 million collisions between vehicles and large wildlife occur annually in the United States. In an area where species of concern are located — especially if it is adjacent to a busy industrial site — vehicle collisions only add to the environmental risks these species face. From endangered mammals like the Iberian lynx to reptiles like the desert tortoise, vehicle collisions are among the largest threats to the species.  

By installing signage to warn motorists and installing fences that prevent wildlife from accessing roads, companies can prevent dangerous collisions — for both wildlife and humans. Simple actions, like placing watering devices and planting food sources in less busy areas, can help deter wildlife from roadways. 

Spread the word 

Because they are a tangible reminder of the threat of species loss, species of concern often capture the attention of the general public. Connecting an animal’s face — whether that’s charismatic megafauna like the elephant or a small endangered insect like the dinosaur ant — to the potentially nebulous concept of biodiversity loss helps individuals better understand what is at risk and encourages them to get involved. 

Corporate action to support a local species of concern can serve as a foundation for building community education and awareness. By sharing steps both large and small that corporations are taking to protect endangered species, community members can feel emboldened to take part in these activities as well, expanding the protection of species of concern beyond the corporate fence line. Events like school visits and citizen science activities involve a broader range of stakeholders and demonstrate how even small actions make a difference for species of concern. 

Preventing the extinction of species doesn’t just rely on widescale initiatives, legislation and expensive marketing campaigns — corporate landowners can have a powerful impact by taking simple steps to protect local species of concern. 

Death, Decay and Decomposition: The Underappreciated Parts of Nature — Plus the Winners of our Insect Hotel Contest!

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We’ve all heard that death is a natural part of life — and when we examine the ecosystems around us, it becomes clear just how true this is. While many associate the wonders of nature with new life, like a flower unfurling its petals or a robin’s egg hatching, the decay of living things is just as amazing when you stop to examine it. With the leaves changing colors and falling, autumn is the perfect time to appreciate the important role that death and decay play in the natural world. Make sure to read to the end of the blog to see the winners of this year’s insect hotel contest and learn how these designs incorporated dead plants and other recycled materials. 

If a tree falls in the woods… 

Tree mortality is a common part of a forest ecosystem. In addition to normal aging, trees also succumb to weather-related issues, insects or drought. Depending on their species, trees can live anywhere from 20 years to several thousand years — but either way, through natural or unnatural means, trees will die. When this happens, they often fall to the forest floor and become nurse logs. These logs provide nutrients for other trees and shrubs, as crevices in fallen trees will often fill with soil, moss and mushrooms. This contributes to the creation of humus, the moisture- and nutrient-rich organic matter created through plant and animal decomposition. The humus in these nurse logs serves as a natural seedbed, meaning that the end of one tree’s life can be the beginning of another’s.  

However, not all dead trees fall, and when they are left standing in place, dead trees are called snags. Snags play an important role in providing habitat for birds and small mammals like squirrels. More than 85 species of birds in North America alone nest in the cavities of snags, and insectivorous birds like the downy woodpecker also rely on snags as a source of insects. Nurse logs and snags prove that, even when they are no longer living, trees support a host of life in the forest ecosystem. 

The only good kind of litter 

Anyone taking a walk through the woods during the autumn months has probably noticed the iconic crunch of leaves underfoot. Those crunchy, dead leaves make up the leaf litter layer of the forest floor, an important part of the ecosystem. The dead plant material like leaves, twigs and bark comprising the leaf litter helps cycle nutrients into the soil as it decomposes. Leaf litter makes up a significant source of the nitrogen, phosphorus and trace mineral elements that healthy soil requires.  

Much like snags, leaf litter also provides shelter and food resources for small animals like birds, insects, invertebrates and even microscopic bacteria. For many of these creatures, the warmth and shelter afforded by leaf litter makes a safe place to hibernate during the winter. In fact, leaving a leaf litter in the backyard rather than raking up fallen leaves is a simple way to support these species! 

Let’s hear it for the decomposers 

Breaking down dead and decaying matter is an important job carried out by organisms known as decomposers. This includes fungi like mushrooms and mold, which use special proteins and enzymes to break down decaying organic matter and cycle carbon and essential nutrients back into the soil. Some types of pathogenic fungi will even attach to and kill trees, creating breaks in the canopy that allow lower-growing plants to receive more sunlight.  

Decomposers exist beyond the plant kingdom — there are many animals, called detritivores, that ingest dead organic matter. From earthworms to wood lice, detritivores serve an important role in the food chain. Some decomposers even take part in a process known as nitrogen fixation, which transforms nitrogen in the soil into a form that plants can use.  

Keep calm and carrion 

Decomposing animal matter, also known as carrion, may not be the most pleasant sight (or smell), but it is a food source for a variety of species. From calliphorid flies and carrion beetles to striped hyenas and black vultures, carrion-eating animals help escalate the decomposition process and return nutrients back to the soil. Carrion scavengers have adapted to eating rotten meat without suffering any adverse effects, often due to specialized digestive bacteria and acids that destroy any toxic bacteria in their food. Some species, like the Virginia opossum, will even eat the bones of dead animals for calcium, leaving no part of a dead creature going to waste. 

Give dead matter a new life 

We’ve seen how the natural decomposition process benefits the environment — but how can corporate conservation teams incorporate these processes into a habitat project? In addition to leaving snags in place and supporting the needs of carrion scavengers, one simple and creative idea is to recycle dead plant matter and found materials into insect hotels. These structures provide habitat for bees, beetles and other insects, with items like dead twigs, leaves and bark offering shelter and nesting space.  

This year, WHC held a contest to find the best insect hotels around the world. The contest received 21 incredible entries, and while each was an excellent example of an insect hotel, WHC determined a winner for each of the following categories — congratulations to the winners! 

  • Best Large-Size Hotel – General Motors Argentina 

Located on the grounds of the GM Rosario Plant in Santa Fe, Argentina, this bug hotel was housed in the body of a car that was going to be disposed of. Instead of throwing it away, employees repurposed the car into a hotel filled with wood pallets, logs with pre-drilled holes, nesting tunnels, twigs, bark and the remains of other vegetation – making this structure an excellent example of how dead matter can still support life.   

  • Best Small to Mid-Size Hotel – Olympus Energy 

Olympus Energy used this insect hotel to supplement an existing pollinator garden at its site in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. Volunteers supplied recycled materials found at their homes or at work sites, including bricks, wooden pallets, pinecones, walnuts, woody stems and untreated logs. The design of the hotel was inspired by the farmhouse and barn previously on the property, a way to honor the past while creating a new structure for the future.  

  • Best Use of Found Materials – Conservation Blueprint 

The construction of this insect hotel in Saint Paul, Nebraska, was a collaborative effort, drawing on the skills of an entire family. Situated in the middle of a wildflower garden at a prairie conservation company, this hotel provides shelter for native bees and wasps. The design incorporated dried milkweed pods, mud rock with holes, bark, cut stems from the last growing season, bamboo sticks and pieces of tin roofing from an old barn. By the halfway point of the construction process, the hotel was already being used by pollinators.  

  • Best Renovation of an Existing Hotel – WM Southern Services Landfill 

WM chose to renovate an existing bug hotel at its Southern Services Landfill site in Nashville, Tennessee. The team modeled the hotel after Nashville’s AT&T Tower, also known as the “Batman Building,” doubling the height of the existing bug hotel and adding pointy “ears” to match the famous skyscraper. Intended for bees, butterflies, wasps and beetles, the hotel even includes pinecones whose sap attracts specific insects.  

Bug hotels come in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs, and the contest entries included many creative designs using reclaimed materials found on the site. 

For example, at its Dresden Wildlife Site in Dresden, Ohio, CRH Americas got creative and reused the body of an old Komatsu cab to house the materials for its insect hotel. Companies also got into the team spirit, like Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s M-shaped hotel at its Heath Ohio Station site. Team members can use bug hotel projects to flex their artistic muscles, like the Avantor entry at a site in Buckshaw Village, England, that incorporated a sun design to represent the ultimate source of life.

Many of the bug hotels entered in the contest used the construction process as an educational opportunity, illustrating how this project can involve the community. For example, at CEMEX’s Planta Huichapan in Huichapan, Mexico, students from the site’s environmental restoration program learned about the native species in the pollinator garden, received guidance on the design and performed observations of the species that visited. Meanwhile, in Baldwinsville, New York, a Boy Scout troupe installed an insect hotel at the Beaver Lake Nature Center. Not only was the design and construction of this hotel a learning opportunity for the Boy Scouts, but the finished product will also go on to educate nature center visitors. At Flint Hills Resources in Corpus Christi, Texas, local middle school students were instrumental in the collection of materials, including an old dresser that would otherwise have been collected for the garbage. 

These examples of decomposition show that even when an organism has died, it still plays a greater role in the overall health of the ecosystem. From leaf litter to carrion eaters to bug hotel materials, death and decay play a necessary role in life. 

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. 

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. 

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words: Supporting Conservation Through Photography

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We’ve all heard the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Science has even backed up the powerful impact of imagery, with research showing that people tend to remember ideas presented in pictures better than in words.  

Professionals who work in sustainability often find themselves needing to make the case for conservation. Whether that’s championing an effort like composting waste scraps from the campus cafeteria, securing funds to plant a pollinator garden on-site or informing community members about a local threatened species, convincing the stakeholders involved in these decisions requires using all the tools available — and that’s where conservation photography comes in. 

Like all forms of photography, conservation photography tells a story, often about the beauty and majesty of nature as well as the factors that threaten species’ or ecosystems’ survival. When it comes to getting buy-in from key decisionmakers, educating students or just inspiring the general public, conservation photography is a powerful way to demonstrate the far-reaching impact of conservation work. This blog will explore how corporate conservation professionals (or anyone!) can use photography to support their conservation goals. 

Bring wildlife close to home 

Photography literally provides a close-up look at species or environments that people might not encounter otherwise. It can be easy to focus only on the animals or plants we see every day, which means it can also be easy to forget about those that exist half a world away. Conservation photography is a helpful reminder of the sheer diversity of life on earth. It also provides perspective, serving as a reminder that even the ecosystems and species found at one’s own workplace or in the backyard are just as valuable as those in exotic locales. 

Tell a story 

Like all artforms, conservation photography is storytelling at its core. Neuroscience confirms that stories impact the brain’s neurons, making them fire similarly to the person telling the story and creating a bond between the storyteller and the audience. This even leads to the release of dopamine, a feel-good chemical that helps people recall the story later. Using still images or video to illustrate the needs and experiences of a particular species reaches audiences on a visual, intellectual and emotional level. 

Wildlife filmmaker and WHC Board member Chris Morgan is no stranger to the power of storytelling. Through his documentary projects like BEARTREK and Path of The Bear, Morgan’s own story and the stories of biologists and conservationists coincides with the bear species he is documenting. BEARTREK, for example, charts Morgan’s seven-year journey across three continents to understand the conservation efforts protecting species like the spectacled bear, polar bear and sun bear. By weaving human stories into the stories of rare species, conservation photographers and filmmakers build a strong bond with their audience. 

Contribute to scientific research 

Conservation photography provides visual data, especially when it comes to rare species. In addition to observing what a specific plant or animal looks like, photographers are incidentally also identifying its abundance, location, condition and behavior, which are all important data for understanding a population. Contributing to citizen or community science efforts allows anyone to be part of the study of a particular ecosystem or species. Amateur and professional photographers alike can submit photos and other data to initiatives like NestWatch, iNaturalist and other community science programs in order to contribute to the widespread understanding of a species. 

Demonstrate a change over time 

Nature is fluid, constantly evolving and adapting. Conservation photography illustrates both the harmful and beneficial changes that have occurred in an environment over time. Taking a photo of the same location at different times throughout the year — also called photo point monitoring — can show the effects of industrialization or habitat degradation; however, these repeat photographs can also showcase the positive effects of conservation efforts, from grassland restoration to the return of a species that had previously lost its habitat. 

Get employees involved 

One way to encourage conservation photography as well as employee engagement is through contests. Employee photography contests showcase the on-site biodiversity to a company’s entire employee base, explained Ann George, Senior Scientist at WHC member mining company Freeport-McMoRan (FCX), which has held an employee contest for over 10 years. “When people think of a mining company, they don’t think of wildlife,” George said, so a photography contest is a great way to educate employees and the broader community about how a company is managing and preserving biodiversity.  

FCX develops a specific set of criteria for entries, including the exclusion of any invasive or ornamental species. The company’s biodiversity task force reviews the entries, of which they receive 400-500 each year, and the top choices are submitted to WHC’s annual calendar, printed and hung in the corporate office and showcased on computer lock screens across the company.  

WHC member CEMEX also holds a photography contest for employees. “CEMEX’s ‘Nature Positive’ photo contest has helped us to connect with our employees around their positive experiences with nature on our sites, while demonstrating the important role that industry can play in halting and reversing biodiversity loss,” explained Jerae Carlson, Senior Vice President of Sustainability, Communications & Public Affairs at CEMEX USA. Not only does the contest raise awareness about on-site wildlife, but it also creates connections between coworkers. “Employees are often eager to share their positive experiences with nature and to see nature through the lens of their colleagues.” 

For companies thinking about starting a photography contest, Carlson and George provided some tips. “Make it easy for everyone to participate,” said Carlson. CEMEX developed several submission options for employees, including a specific email address as well as a QR code that allowed employees without a company email to submit photos from their phones. Promoting the contest is also key: George recommended publicizing the contest thoroughly to employees and marketing it as an opportunity to hone photography skills while learning more about the company’s biodiversity projects.  

You don’t have to be a professional photographer to have a positive impact on conservation with your photos. Armed with a smartphone, a keen sense of observation and a little bit of patience, anyone can capture moments in nature that support greater conservation goals. 

Marathon Petroleum Corporation Supports WHC’s Mission Through Generous Donation

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Through a generous donation to a group of non-profit organizations including WHC, Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) has demonstrated that their dedication to supporting sustainability lies not just in their corporate conservation programs, but in their charitable giving as well. 

The annual MPC gives Invitational golf outing, held October 8-10, 2022, invited business partners to raise awareness of and funding for many of the non-profit organizations that MPC and their employees support. The proceeds of the event benefit various non-profits that provide humanitarian aid, assist students, support sustainability and more. More than 180 sponsors and donors raised a total of $2.26 million, with each of the nine non-profits selected, including WHC, receiving $221,000 in unrestricted funds that can be used at the recipient’s discretion to support their organization’s overall mission. 

“At MPC, our community investment strategy is centered around strengthening communities, helping make people’s lives better, and protecting the environment we all share,” said Tim Aydt, EVP of Refining at Marathon Petroleum. “We’re happy to have opportunities like this where our valued business partners can participate, because together we make an even bigger impact.”  

Supporting Innovation that Contributes to a Nature Positive World 

The timing of this gift aligns perfectly with a period where WHC is poised for growth.  

“This generous donation from Marathon Petroleum Corporation comes at an opportune time for WHC,” said Margaret O’Gorman, WHC President. “Thirty-five years ago, we led the connections between the global business and nature communities. As business needs change amid the ongoing biodiversity crisis, new challenges emerge. This generous donation will ensure WHC is able to continue to build its culture of innovation to meet emerging needs and deliver meaningful results that contribute to a nature positive world.” 

A 30 Year Partnership to Support Biodiversity 

MPC employees lead local students on a scavenger hunt through Savage Branch Wildlife Reserve located in Catlettsburg, KY.

MPC and WHC have a long-standing connection of almost 30 years, with MPC owning and managing over 1,200 acres on 20 WHC-certified sites. One of these — the Savage Branch Wildlife Reserve located near the MPC refinery in Catlettsburg, Kentucky — is among the longest-running WHC-certified sites in the U.S., first achieving certification in 1994. The wildlife reserve includes a 320-acre woodland and five conservation projects that support the forest habitat as well as species that depend on it, and offer learning opportunities for the local community. 

In addition to the longtime conservation work at the Savage Branch Wildlife Reserve, MPC has also collaborated with WHC on an urban forestry project, Marathon Gardens, located in an industrial and residential combination area of Detroit, Michigan. Designated as a WHC Certification Gold program, Marathon Gardens creates habitat for cavity-nesting birds, supports the nesting needs of turtle populations and provides roosting boxes for several bat species. Marathon Gardens also offers learning opportunities for employees, community members and local high school students to gain a greater understanding of the biodiversity in this industrial neighborhood. 

The team at Marathon collaborates with WHC staff and community partners from local Detroit organizations, to expand and maintain the Marathon Gardens habitat via planting events. MPC regularly invites local residents to participate in planting and weeding events as well. Over the last several years, MPC has held tree plantings in public parks, with the goal of creating additional outdoor recreational space for residents to enjoy. With assistance from WHC, MPC selected trees like sycamore and burr oak that would help filter particulate matter from the air, providing the additional benefit of improved air quality. 

Moving Forward Together 

“We’re honored to be among the companies chosen for this MPC gives donation,” said O’Gorman. “MPC continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and biodiversity through its award-winning conservation programs. We look forward to working together on both existing and new projects to help MPC meet their sustainability goals and make meaningful contributions to the communities in which they work.” 

Animal Magnetism: Do Animals Fall in Love?

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With Valentine’s Day approaching, love is in the air and on many people’s minds. The feeling of new love can be exhilarating, a long-lasting love can be a comfort and the love between friends can be rewarding. But as humans, are we alone in this experience, or do our counterparts in the animal kingdom also experience the same thrill of falling in love?

What is love?

Whether animals experience love largely depends on the definition of “love.” Is love a deep emotional connection? If so, animals demonstrate these kinds of bonds with each other — either within their species or with animals outside their own kind. For example, elephants will mourn and even have elaborate grieving rituals, demonstrating that they had a bond with the deceased. Even household pets or animals in captivity will develop emotional connections with the humans taking care of them.

Science has also indicated that physiologically, animals are certainly capable of experiencing emotions like love in a similar way to humans. Humans and animals share many similar brain systems and chemicals, such as dopamine and oxytocin, that accompany feelings of love. Neuroscientific research indicates that romantic love may have even evolved in avian and mammalian species to facilitate reproduction.

Getting a date, finding a mate

Assuming that animals do experience love, how do they go on to attract that special someone? In this situation, the tactics of the animal kingdom are not too dissimilar from those of humans. They often need to get their potential mate’s attention by standing out from the crowd, and appearances help with this. In birds, for example, brightly colored plumage helps males capture the attention of females. The peacock is famous for its beautifully adorned feathers, but other birds like the ribbon-tailed astrapia or Wilson’s bird of paradise also exhibit long tails and eye-catching colors.

Animals will also show off to get the attention of someone they’re interested in, often through performing elaborate dances. Many birds are known for this, and the great crested grebe puts on an impressive show, even incorporating props in the form of reeds. What’s interesting about the grebes’ courtship dance is that females take an active role as well as males.

By building a home or nest, males of many species are demonstrating how they’ll provide for a future mate. For example, the southern masked-weaver constructs a spherical nest from grass, leaves or reeds. Research has shown that male birds even practice and improve on their nest-making skills in order to find the most suitable mate.

Just like humans may paint a portrait or write a poem for the one they love, some animals are adept at creating something beautiful to attract a mate. The male pufferfish, for example, draws symmetrical designs in the sand to impress the female, and if it’s effective, she will then lay her eggs in the middle of the design. Male bowerbirds take nest-building to the extreme and decorate their abode with colored objects they find — from plastic spoons to feathers of other birds.

Finding “the one”

In some animal species, once the elaborate ritual has caught the eye of a mate, those two animals will remain paired for life. There are many benefits of mating for life. For primates, monogamy helps ensure more offspring, as it allows males to remain close to their young and protect them from potential danger. In non-primate species, male monogamy often stems from females being spread out over a large area, with males choosing to remain with their mate so as not to risk a rival swooping in.

Co-parenting is also a factor for species that mate for life. Some young, like baby birds, need an intense amount of care, so two parents are required. While seasonal monogamy is more common in avian species than a lifelong partnership, there are a number of birds, like the bald eagle, that mate for life and share parenting responsibilities.

These evolutionary measures might not necessarily be humans’ idea of romance, but there may also be scientific evidence that animals that mate for life have feelings for each other. Prairie voles are more receptive to dopamine — the “desire hormone” — after mating. The release of this chemical is what compels them to remain together for life, not even choosing a new mate if one of them dies.

While we may never know with certainty whether animals fall in love, it seems unlikely that humans are the only animals that experience complex emotions. Regardless, the courtship and partnership of various animal species illustrate the similarities we all share when finding someone to spend our lives with.

Weather Whiplash: How Extreme Winters Impact Wildlife

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In recent years, climate change has had an increasingly visible impact on the environments and species around us. It is well documented that globally, temperatures have been elevating for decades. Since 1880, the combined temperature of the land and oceans around the world has increased about 0.08°C each decade — but since 1981, the average rate of increase has been more than double that previous rate. 2020 was one of the three warmest years on record, with the preceding ten years being the warmest decade on record.  

One of the major drivers of climate change is human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, which result not only in warmer overall temperatures, but also in extreme cold conditions. Due to warming temperatures, the polar vortexes, two areas of cold air that circulate around the north and south poles, have shifted away from the poles. This migration of polar vortexes leads to colder-than-average temperatures in areas where this is not the norm.  

Shifting seasons and extreme weather events have very dire effects on wildlife — scientists estimate that 3 to 14% of species in terrestrial ecosystems risk extinction if global warming levels reach an increase of 1.5°C. Migratory species have had their patterns disrupted and rerouted due to unusually mild winters and extremely cold winters alike, and species that overwinter have to adjust and adapt to these changing conditions as well. 

This blog will explore how warmer- and colder-than-average winter weather affects wildlife, as well as how corporate conservation programs can help mitigate these effects and support the affected species. 

Struggling to survive during warm winters  

While it may seem counterintuitive at first, many overwintering species use the insulating property of snow to stay warm during the winter. The pika, for example, builds a den with grasses collected during the summer, which is then further insulated by snowpack. More temperate winters mean less deep snow to keep these animals warm. One way to address this issue is to provide nest boxes or other habitat structures in which wildlife can overwinter. The use of living snow fences can also help retain snowpack.  

Animals with specific adaptations for cold weather – thick fur, for example — are not well-suited to handle rising temperatures, so they migrate to colder areas, which often ends up fragmenting their populations. This fragmentation is exacerbated by the impact of climate change on these species’ habitats. For example, the Canada lynx depends largely on boreal forest habitats, which are at risk of disappearing due to climate change. With their habitats shrinking and their populations separated, it becomes more difficult for species like these to thrive. Conservation programs can ensure habitat connectivity by maintaining movement corridors and restoring affected species’ habitats. 

Warmer temperatures also affect the life cycles of and increase the range of some invasive species, such as the diamondback moth. Invasive species like these outcompete native species for resources, and when combined with the already detrimental effects of global warming on native species, it becomes even easier for invasives to overtake them. Invasive species management techniques such as biological control methods, integrated pest management or cultural control methods can help mitigate the spread of invasive species due to climate change.  

Severe winter weather can be fatal 

As mentioned earlier, climate change has resulted in more extreme winter weather, such as the expansion of the polar vortex. Just as unseasonably warm temperatures affect wildlife, so does an extended period of intense cold.  

Animals expend more energy to survive in extremely cold weather, which puts them at higher risk of starvation, especially if their usual sources of food have died from the cold. For animals that are not well-adapted to the cold, such as Virginia opossums, extreme winter weather can lead to frostbite on vulnerable parts of their body like their ears or tail.  

Marine wildlife is also greatly impacted by extreme cold. Unexpected freezes can kill fish populations, which goes on to affect the ecosystem and the entire food chain. Frozen water bodies also mean less access to food for water birds like ducks, and cooling water temperatures can be fatal for animals like sea turtles or manatees that rely on warm water. In fact, “cold stunning,” or the decrease in heart rate and blood circulation that sea turtles experience when water temperatures drop, kills over 60% of non-migratory turtles.  

Scientists have also researched the effect of the shifting polar vortex on birds’ migratory patterns. One study found that, immediately following a polar vortex, bird abundance decreased, with population levels returning to normal a few weeks later. This indicates that birds may have briefly left the area during the period of extreme cold. Bird migration patterns have moving north in recent decades, but climate change may accelerate that process and leave birds vulnerable to extreme temperatures in new locations. Conservation programs can observe and monitor the abundance of bird species visiting their site to develop a clearer picture of the population’s needs and provide shelter for overwintering or migrating birds to help support these species. 

Climate whiplash hurts everyone 

Heat waves and severe storms are predicted to only become more frequent due to climate change, as well as abrupt shifts between high and low temperatures. These shifts — sometimes called “climate whiplash” — can be detrimental to species’ survival. For example, some insects like crickets can survive a freeze through a process called diapause. However, if these insects emerge from diapause and face another cold snap, it is unlikely that they will survive a second freeze. Climate whiplash also limits animals’ access to food, if, for example, heavy rainfall is followed by a freeze that results in a layer of ice covering winter browse for deer. 

Extreme changes in temperature also affect hibernating species, such as black bears. An early spring could trigger hibernating animals to wake up too soon, and if the temperature quickly swings back to cold, they likely face starvation if they are unable to find food during a period when they would normally be dormant. In addition, droughts and extreme heat due to climate change during the summer can also impact hibernation if animals are unable to store up enough fat. Conservation programs can help by ensuring there is enough food available for these species during their non-hibernating months. 

Climate change has devastating effects on the environment, the economy, human health and, as these examples have shown, wildlife. Even throughout the winter, extreme heat and cold can leave wildlife without the resources they need to survive, which is why it is crucial that conservation programs take these growing needs into account. 

Read more WHC blogs.