Getting a bird’s eye view

Jeop–birdy. Haven’t you heard about it? It’s the new game show keeping communities informed about birds and their habitats – and it was just one of the highlights of the recent Wildlife Habitat Council’s (WHC) 5th annual Corporate Lands for Learning (CCL) workshop.

Rinker Materials’ 474 sand mine and the Engstrom Lake Project, winner of the CLL of the Year Award for innovative environmental education programs, co–sponsored the workshop.

In June this year, business representatives serious about conservation congregated in Florida for the four–day event. It was a chance for WHC members to visit several exceptional habitat sites and develop effective education programs through wildlife habitat “outdoor learning laboratories” with students.

“We are delighted that Engstrom Lake’s program has received acclaim in winning the last CLL of the Year Award, but we are seeking to establish similar high quality programs at other Rinker Materials sites,” says Tracy Bryant, community relations manager. “This workshop was a good opportunity for us to gather new ideas and to come together as a community, with our colleagues from other WHC sites.”

The Engstrom Lake project is the only WHC program to receive this prestigious award twice – firstly in 2002 and again in 2004. Employees and educational partners from Education Advisory Teams at Engstrom Lake, Gator mine, Lake Wales, Brooksville quarry and FEC quarry all participated.