Bridgestone Americas acknowledged for habitat areas

Bridgestone Americas has been given the Wildlife Habitat Council’s 2011 William W. Howard C.E.O. (Conservation, Education, and Outreach) Award for its work in creating wildlife habitat areas at its facilities and its ongoing commitment to environmental education and outreach. As opposed to other recognition levels bestowed by the WHC, this particular award honours not a single programme, but rather an entire organisation for its combined efforts.

“Bridgestone Americas has been an exemplary partner to the Council for the past 15 years, creating a roadmap for how a major corporation can make an substantial difference in the natural world around us, while teaching others how to be involved in the values of nature,” said WHC president Robert Johnson. “This award, named in honour of our late president, is meant to recognise utmost excellence in conservation, education and outreach demonstrated by a company, and it is well deserved by Bridgestone Americas.”

This is not the first WHC award that Bridgestone Americas has received; in 2009, the Bridgestone Environmental Education Classroom and Habitat (BEECH) at the company’s Warren County, Tennessee truck and bus tyre plant was named Corporate Habitat of the Year.

“Our wildlife habitats are the embodiment of our environmental mission – ‘to help ensure a healthy environment for current and future generations’,” said Tim Bent, director of Environmental Affairs for Bridgestone Americas. “We firmly believe that what we make, and how we make it can help improve our environment and our future. Our habitat projects teach the importance of biodiversity and environmental conservation and help us carry that important message to the communities in which we operate and to industry as a whole.”

Bridgestone Americas maintains ten WHC certified wildlife habitats throughout the US. Each provides a preserve for native flora and fauna, while many also offer a tailored environmental learning experience for their local communities.