The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) has received Conservation Certification from Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) for its efforts to conserve and enhance habitat surrounding the Central Landfill.

The WHC is a national organization that promotes and certifies habitat conservation and management on corporate lands.  The agency’s 2016 Conservation Certification was announced at their annual conference in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 3.

“Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation is one of 177 programs recognized this year as meeting the strict requirements of WHC Conservation Certification,” said Margaret O’Gorman, president of WHC. “Companies achieving WHC Conservation Certification, like Resource Recovery, are environmental leaders, voluntarily managing their lands to support sustainable ecosystems and the communities that surround them.”

Located on approximately 1,200 acres, the Central Landfill has an operating footprint of 270 acres, surrounded by grassland, forest, and wetlands.  RIRRC has implemented numerous habitat projects including native species plantings, invasive species removal, nesting box construction, and pollinator habitat creation.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Service unit assists with monitoring. One hundred and eighteen unique species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians have been recorded onsite since 2013.

“We are honored to be recognized by Wildlife Habitat Council for our efforts,” says Krystal Noiseux, RIRRC’s Education and Outreach Manager. “This program is one way that employees go beyond the call of duty, and extend our everyday mission of providing safe, environmentally-compliant, and affordable solid waste and recycling services for the Rhode Island community.”

Resource Recovery joins Fidelity Investments in Smithfield, RI as the only other site in Rhode Island to hold Conservation Certification.