CalPortland said it is now “perched” as the rock products industry’s first company to safely construct a burrowing owl habitat within one of its mining sites. The habitat is designed to support the burrowing owls in a safe, comfortable, environmentally efficient manner.
In the absence of suitable homes created by ground squirrels, prairie dogs, desert tortoises, new agriculture areas and development, the burrowing owl habitat has diminished and required some assistance to ensure a prolific future.
Rebecca Kervella, CalPortland’s environmental specialist for Arizona, hatched the idea of building a habitat at one of the company’s sites to help the small, sandy colored owls. The idea received much enthusiasm and support not only by Scott Hughes, CalPortland’s environmental manager for Arizona, but also from the company’s management.
In cooperation with Wild at Heart Raptor Rescue, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and Greg Clark, manager of the burrowing owl program, the plan is turning into a reality. Ground breaking occurred on Nov. 30 and excavation of 12 burrowing sites began in an area the size of a football field. On the morning of Dec.10, the organizers and a crew of 48 volunteers constructed 64 burrows for the master planned habitat.
In mid-March the owls will be released into their new burrow community. The burrows will be covered by a tent for the one month. The owls will be fed “mousicles” while they are getting comfortable in their new homes. After a month, the tents will be removed and the owls will be free to come and go as they please. The organizers are optimistic that other burrowing owls in the area will quickly take up residence in the habitat. Burrowing owls are listed as endangered in Canada and as a species with special protection in Mexico.
This conservation initiative strongly supports CalPortland’s value proposition of being an environmental leader in the industry.