Commitment to Wildlife is in GM Employees’ Nature

Nov 22, 2016 1:25 PM ET
GM's biodiversity program manager, Sue Kelsey, holds the award for Employee Engagement from the Wildlife Habitat Council. GM was recognized for the 2,148 work days employees donated to conservation and education work.

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GM is committed to using its lands to increase and promote native biodiversity. But it’s the company’s people who bring that commitment to life. In fact, GM employees have spent 2,148 work days dedicated to conservation and education work, as recognized by the Wildlife Habitat Council. This is one way the teams at GM facilities give back to their local communities and help reduce their environmental footprint. The efforts earned the company two top awards at the Wildlife Habitat Council’s Conservation Conference: the Employee Engagement Achievement Award and the Corporate Conservation Leadership Award, the Council’s highest honor.

The Corporate Conservation Leadership Award recognizes overall achievement in conservation efforts. This distinction signifies an exemplary level of corporate commitment to biodiversity and conservation education, and support of global conservation objectives.

GM aligns its efforts with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development goal to halt biodiversity loss by developing wildlife habitats at its sites around the world. GM achieved 31 certified programs within the last year from Canada to Korea to Uzbekistan.

GM’s Vancouver Parts Distribution Center also earned the Formal Project Award for its GM Global Rivers Environmental Education Network program, which convenes more than 400 students five times a year. To win, the program had to be connected to academic standards, meet a need identified by the community and relate to a habitat on site. The site delivered, integrating STEM learning goals, engaging students in taking a positive action in their watersheds and helping them analyze water quality and remove invasive species.

While the recognition further inspires GM teams, there is more work to be done. GM is on a mission to develop a wildlife habitat program at each of its manufacturing sites by 2020.