Wildlife Habitat: Why Bother?

An Introduction  Jim Pridgen  Plant Manager, Bridgestone Firestone Oklahoma City, Dayton PlantOklahoma City, Dayton Plant USW representationUSW representation 35 years of production35 years of production Wilson, North CarolinaWilson, North Carolina No third party representationNo third party representation 32 years of continuous production32 years of continuous production

Wildlife Habitat Council Certification  Obtained in OKC 2002  Wilson is currently engaged in the year-long certification process  Why would a major corporation such as Bridgestone, pursue WHC certification at it’s tire manufacturing facilities?

Wilson Plant Habitat Area  Plant began production in March 1974  56 acres under roof  485 Acres total plant land area  ISO Certified

Freedom Wildlife Habitat and Refuge  Application to Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) in July 2006  April 22 kick off celebration “Earth Day”  Wilson’s goals Certification by WHC (hopefully summer of ’07)Certification by WHC (hopefully summer of ’07) Community involvement to develop our environmental siteCommunity involvement to develop our environmental site Create an on-site environmental area and refuge that will be available to our communityCreate an on-site environmental area and refuge that will be available to our community

Wilson’s status to date  WHC visit and recommendations  Wildlife plan drafted  Picnic shelter refurbished  Blue bird nesting boxes installed by Boy Scouts  State and local environmental agencies helping team (County Soil and Water Conservation, NC Fisheries, Wild Turkey Federation)  We have BIG PLANS

That’s the WHAT. Now for the WHY.  Why would any of you in this audience consider using your company lands to establish an environmental site or habitat?  What possible advantages can this sort of project afford your facility or your company?  Why use your capital to enhance the landscape?  WIIFM: what’s in it for me? Are there any REAL benefits?Are there any REAL benefits?

A Natural Fit with NEPT  Habitat provides continual environmental goals that make a real difference Quantifiable improvementsQuantifiable improvements  Opportunity for ALL teammates to work on environmental projects  Capitalizes on an under-utilized resource (idle land asset) to enable positive environmental impact

RESPECT and VALUE  RESPECT Respect for the futureRespect for the future  VALUE Value what you haveValue what you have  PRIDE CompanyCompany CommunityCommunity FamilyFamily  FUN

Why does Bridgestone push?  Positive influence in the communities where we are located  Be the best at what we do AND an active part of our environment  Our CEO, Mark Emkes makes community service and the environment a part of his yearly management policy  Our new President in Japan, Shoshi Arakawa is also determined to keep Bridgestone a positive influence around the world – taking a leading role within our industry in responsible efforts to care for the natural environment.

Fundamental Principles  We, the Bridgestone group, work to achieve ever higher levels of society’s trust and employee pride. We will manage environmental, health and safety issues as integral and important parts of all our business activities, while working towards a sustainable society.  To provide a safe environment for all our children and the children of future generations.

RESPECT for the future  The Freedom Wildlife Habitat and Refuge will have limited public access for schools, scouts, Boys & Girls Club, etc.  Our children need to see good stewardship in practice  Our children need to have a place where they can observe, first hand, indigenous flora and fauna  Our children need a sense of worth – of self, of home, of property, of family

Providing a glimpse of a positive future, perhaps we can save a life WILSONWAKEDURHAMMEASURE POVERTY22.6% Children (0-17) living at poverty level, US census bureau 2000 HS DROP OUTS 19.4% Teens who are HS drop outs, Population Reference Bureau TEEN MOTHERS 19.3% Teen pregnancy as percent of total births, (10-19), State Center for Health Statistics 2003 SAT TAKERS 49.1% Percent of HS children tested, NC SAT Report 2004 JUVENILE CRIME 8.4% Total number Juvenile Court cases as % of youth (10-15) 2000

VALUE what you have  The Wilson Plant provides a lifestyle unequalled in eastern North Carolina  Our team members earn almost twice the local average  Volunteering through the habitat provides a way for team members to give back to the community  Emphasizing benefits to wildlife and the public promotes innovation  We build upon our good relationships and strong communications with local regulators to facilitate the process

PRIDE of place and person  Providing the means for a young man to become an Eagle Scout, we build individual pride and protect our future  Providing a place to learn, we build opportunities for future individual success  Providing a place of nature and beauty, we build respect for the land our forefathers settled  Providing for our community, we build a sense of pride in our company and our team

Wilson Earth Day

All ages and all sizes. A team leader or a poet? PRIDE

RESPECT for the earth, RESPECT for different abilities.

The Wilson pond before clean up.

Wilson opportunities for naturalized habitat,

Wilson blue heron – protecting wildlife so we can observe it in its natural habitat

Blue bird houses, made and mounted by the Boy Scouts

Wilson volunteers havin’ fun

We’ve got wildlife lining up to get in … …captured on our security system, at our front gate…