Three ArcelorMittal USA facilities have achieved Wildlife Habitat Council Conservation Certification, demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship.
WHC’s certification program is a voluntary sustainability standard designed for habitat enhancement and conservation education activities on corporate lands.
ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor in Burns Harbor and ArcelorMittal Global Research & Development Center in East Chicago, both received gold certifications. ArcelorMittal Riverdale in Riverdale, Ill. received a silver certification. Together, these three sites were recognized for establishing 17 habitat restoration programs, including the following project examples: restoration of globally rare dune and swale habitat; environmental education programs for Calumet area students; invasive species control; tree plantings and more. These initiatives provide learning opportunities for employees, students and the local communities.
“ArcelorMittal USA was honored for meeting the strict requirements of WHC Conservation Certification,” said Margaret O’Gorman, president of Wildlife Habitat Council. “Companies achieving this certification are considered environmental leaders.”
According to WHC, certification ‘helps companies demonstrate a long-term commitment to managing quality habitat for wildlife, conservation education and community outreach initiatives.’ Certification adds value to programs by providing third-party credibility and an objective evaluation of conservation initiatives.
“Through this certification, it’s clear that these three locations are committed to improving their onsite habitat initiatives and sharing their conservation program learnings with others in their communities and in the ArcelorMittal network,” said Beth Spurgeon, division manager, corporate responsibility, ArcelorMittal Americas.
ArcelorMittal accepted the certifications at the recent 2018 Wildlife Habitat Council Conservation Conference where Burns Harbor was further recognized as a finalist in two conservation award categories. Gold certifications are effective through 2021 and silver through 2020.
