Warren Technical Center

Introduction
General Motors operates the GM Warren Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. The site encompasses 709 acres including a facility for the design, engineering and testing of GM vehicles. Habitats found on-site include a tree buffer, grassland/shrubland and manmade lakes and ponds. The team works with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to encourage the survival of the peregrine falcon in Michigan and educate the public. The team also protects and increases populations of mammals, birds, butterflies and native bees as an indicator of habitat quality. The team maintains high water quality and minimizes chemical usage in the water bodies on-site.

Practices and Impacts

• Bear Creek - The conservation objective is to meet and exceed the Michigan EGLE and County requirements for stormwater discharges into Bear Creek and minimize disturbance to the existing wildlife ecosystems present in and around the creek. Daily, weekly, quarterly and annual stormwater inspections occur at selected outfalls on the Tech Center property. Coordinated management of the Wetlands & Water Bodies is with Macomb County and the City of Warren.
• Eastern Bluebirds and Tree Swallows - The conservation objective is to provide nesting habitat for eastern bluebirds and other native bird species. Bird houses are installed in multiple locations over the Warren Tech Center property. The bird houses are monitored and maintained by site employees. There were no bluebirds found to be nesting in 2023 and 2024. One pair of tree swallows were found.
• General Avian - The conservation objective is to monitor birds on the site, noting bird presence is a measure of environmental health. 116 species were recorded in the reporting cycle of 2022-2024, up from 73 species reported in 2018-2021, and well above the baseline set in 2011-2013 of 43 species. Data is submitted to NestWatch and ebird. Partner, Aramark, ground maintenance staff, participate in monitoring, and meetings.
• Owls - The conservation objective is to increase and protect owl habitat and engage employees in owl education. Owl nest boxes are monitored monthly. No signs of use of the boxes (no owl pellets or owls) have been identified since installation in 2014. Great horned owls used a red-tailed hawk nest in March 2018.
• Peregrine Falcon - The goal is to protect the Peregrine Falcon, collaborate with Michigan DNR to ensure its survival in Michigan, and educate the public. A nesting box was built on the roof of the Cadillac Tower (formerly VEC East building) at the GM Tech Center in 2001. It was re-built in 2011. It has been occupied by peregrines and remotely monitored since 2013. Perch poles are added in 2014 and a partial roof was added over the nest box in 2016. The box hood/cover was replaced in 2021 and the box was updated again in 2023 for the 2024 season. The nest box and platform is cleaned at least twice a year, weeds are removed to allow for ideal conditions for the birds and their nest. MDNR receives all monitoring data and information. The nesting data is uploaded to the Cornell NestWatch Database and eBird.
• Monarch Butterfly - The conservation education objectives are to provide training to employees on how to tag Monarch butterflies onsite and at home. Employees are informed about the landscaping practices around the site, including no-mow areas and milkweed areas, explaining the reasons for selecting specific plants and the importance of no-mow practices for monarchs and other pollinators inhabiting the area.