Albemarle’s Magnolia plants were recognized late last year at the 18th Annual Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) Symposium for creating a habitat program that works with regulatory agencies and community members to benefit the local environment and provides valuable services to the manufacturing facilities. The Magnolia plants are located on 2,300 acres in southwest Arkansas. In keeping with Albemarle’s commitment to environmental stewardship, approximately 200 acres of the sites are dedicated to wildlife habitat programs in the form of artificial marshes and wetlands.
Albemarle Magnolia’s artificial marsh water treatment facilities were developed in the early to mid 1990s and planted with more than 120,000 aquatic plants and other native vegetation to use naturally occurring processes to treat non-contact process water and storm water runoff from the company’s two area facilities. The marshes provide food, shelter and water for a variety of wildlife species while providing a low-cost, environmentally friendly alternative to mechanical water treatment facilities. Albemarle also created the first private wetland bank in Arkansas by restoring 82 acres of forested wetland on a 101-acre pasture that was drained and logged by a previous landowner. Continued monitoring of the site shows a low mortality rate among the planted trees and a high level of use by local wildlife. To attract birds to the restored wetlands, 24 bluebird boxes and 20 wood duck boxes were placed throughout the area.
In addition to fostering biodiversity and conservation, Albemarle Magnolia involves the local community in the sites’ wildlife habitat programs: Magnolia High School biology and chemistry students take water samples from the marshes and test them in their labs for pH, turbidity, conductivity and other properties. A similar arrangement is in the planning stages for the wetland bank. The Magnolia Plants also arrange site visits and tours for members of the community and visitors upon request. “Albemarle is committed to do its part to create global solutions that positively impact humanity,” said Albemarle President and CEO Mark Rohr. “The Magnolia habitat programs are excellent examples of how we strive to operate in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner for ourselves, our customers and the communities in which we live.” “Congratulations to Albemarle for their exceptional efforts to responsibly manage our natural world,” said Robert Johnson, WHC President. “We believe it is vital to improve approaches to the environment if our landscapes are to remain sustainable for future generations. Developing a strong sense of place is the key to better connecting people to nature and ultimately the key to protecting nature. Opening the doors to corporate habitats to educate and involve entire communities.”
Magnolia Plant Community Activities, Albemarle gives Nonprofit Service
Albemarle has always focused on being a good neighbor, along with our Responsible Care® goals, which typically promise to decrease environmental emissions or have a better safety record, we pledged to sponsor at least one educational project in each of our communities – a goal that none of the other chemical companies included.
We’re pleased to report that our Magnolia employees have exceeded this goal. This year and in years past, our employees have given generously to the community.
