World Environment Day is the United Nations day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment. Since it began in 1974, the event has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries.
This week, colleagues from each of our six manufacturing locations organized and participated in a local activity to celebrate World Environment Day.
In Belgium, We posted several bird houses and a bee house around the property. The houses were purchased from a non-profit nature conservation centre, “Natuurhulpcentrum” which provides shelter and rehabilitation for sick and injured indigenous and exotic wildlife. Proceeds from the sale of the houses will help the Centre care for animals in need, while the houses themselves will provide habitat to several species of birds and bees.
At our Canadian site, we added more species of flowers and shrubs to our existing pollinator garden. The plants were sourced from a nursery specializing in the collection and cultivating of local, native plant species that are adapted to the conditions they will encounter at our site. Now in its third year, the garden is helping to provide food and habitat to a variety of pollinator species, including birds, butterflies, bees and other insects.
In Germany, the field beside our parking lot has been transformed into a meadow by ceasing mowing activities in the area. Since the start of the spring season, many species of bees and other pollinating insects have been visiting the meadow and using it as a source of habitat. In celebration of World Environment Day, we added insect hotels and spread wildflower seeds in the meadow to support native biodiversity.
At our Irish plant, we posted bird houses and bat boxes around the property to provide more habitat opportunities for native species. Changes in farming practices have resulted in habitat loss of bats and certain bird species. All nine species of bat found in Ireland are protected under national legislation. By replacing natural roost locations for bats, we are helping to conserve the bat population.
In the Philippines, the grassy area beside our parking lot has been transformed into a raised garden bed to grow fruits and vegetables commonly raised the area. Over the growing season, our colleagues will take turns caring for the garden. At the end of the season we will be able to harvest eggplants, tomato, cabbage, chili and bitter melon.
At our Swiss plant, we organized a seed give-away, putting together a variety of wildflower seeds with growing and care instructions. The seeds were wrapped in newspapers for safe transport home in an environmentally conscious packaging material. Our Swiss colleagues will take the wildflower seeds home and spread them in their home gardens in support of native pollinator species.
Thank you to everyone who organized and participated in the World Environment Day activities!
[…] also aim to be good environmental stewards. On World Environment Day last year, the global OPHARDT team organized local activities to promote environmental […]