As part of an environmental conservation initiative, CalPortland is constructing burrowing owl habitats within one of its mining sites.
The company is working with the Wild at Heart Raptor Rescue, Arizona Game and Fish Department, as well as Greg Clark, Wild At Heart’s burrowing owl habitat coordinator, to bring the plan to life.
According to CalPortland, the burrowing owl habitat has diminished. In addition, burrowing owls are listed as endangered in Canada and have special protection in Mexico. The project will provide the infrastructure required to support the owls in a safe, comfortable and environmentally efficient manner, the company adds.
Rebecca Kervella, CalPortland’s environmental specialist for Arizona, came up with the idea. The idea came to life with the help of Scott Hughes, CalPortland’s environmental manager for Arizona, as well as the company’s management.
The company excavated 12 burrowing sites, and a total of 64 burrows were constructed for the owls. The owls, which live in open, treeless areas with low, spare vegetation, will be released into the new burrow community mid-March. The burrows will be covered by a tent for one month. The tents will then be removed and the owls will be free to come and go as they please. According to CalPortland, project organizers are optimistic that other burrowing owls in the area will quickly take up residence in the area.
CalPortland, headquartered in Glendora, California, is a producer of cement, ready mixed concrete, aggregate, concrete products and asphalt in the western United States and Canada.
