OPG BIODIVERSITY 2009
The conservation of biological diversity is an integral part of Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG’s) sustainable development efforts. OPG Biodiversity 2009 is a new initiative that builds on OPG’s commitment to conserve biodiversity, protect nature and fight climate change.
Partnerships
- OPG has partnered with Ontario Nature, LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) and the Bruce Trail Conservancy to support environmental events throughout 2009. The partners share a common goal of making it easy and fun for families in Ontario to get involved with conservation efforts.
- The province-wide series of events kicked off on International Day for Biodiversity in May, 2009.
OPG’s Ongoing Efforts
- Since 2000 OPG and its conservation partners have planted more than 3.8 million trees and shrubs on more than 1,850 hectares of land, helping to capture carbon dioxide and help woodlands cope with climate change.
- OPG is part of an expanding effort to protect and restore vanished forests in southern Ontario. This builds upon efforts by organizations working to create an interconnected system of habitats to protect and restore southern Ontario’s biodiversity. It also provides people with recreational opportunities, creates a renewable resource, and helps ecosystems by reducing erosion, enhancing soil structure, recycling nutrients, and enhancing water and air quality.
- Building on the environmental commitments of its predecessor, Ontario Hydro, OPG has been committed to a biodiversity policy since the inception of the company in 1999. OPG’s policy and conservation actions demonstrate that industry can and does have a clear role to play in conserving Ontario’s biodiversity.
- OPG’s actions support the Ontario government’s Biodiversity Strategy, which recognizes that all levels of government, non-governmental organizations, industry, and the public must cooperate in the care of Ontario’s rich biological assets.
- At OPG biodiversity conservation addresses land and water management, as well as our own operations, including efforts to reduce pollution and greenhouse gases.
- Each of OPG’s hydroelectric, nuclear and fossil plants has a biodiversity plan which integrates into the company’s overall environmental management system to help protect and enhance significant habitats and the species they support.
- Currently, 11 of OPG’s generating stations have been certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) for exemplary wildlife habitat enhancement programs: Niagara Plant Group; Northeast Plant Group – Mattagami River; Ottawa-St. Lawrence Plant Group – Madawaska River; Western Waste Management Site (Nuclear Waste Management Division); Pickering Nuclear; Darlington Nuclear; Atikokan GS; Lennox GS; Nanticoke GS; Lambton GS and Thunder Bay GS. Two of these sites, Darlington Nuclear and Pickering Nuclear, have also achieved WHC certification for Corporate Lands for Learning.
- In 2008 OPG was again the proud recipient of two coveted awards at the WHC’s annual symposium:
- Corporate Habitat of the Year Award, received by Darlington Nuclear recognizing outstanding environmental stewardship and voluntary employee efforts on sites that are currently certified with WHC. OPG has been distinguished as having won this award three times (2008 – Darlington Nuclear; 2007 – Pickering Nuclear; 2001 – Pickering Nuclear)
- Wings Over Wetlands Award, jointly offered by the WHC and Ducks Unlimited Inc., recognizing active corporate participation in wetland stewardship and those who have created and protected wetland habitat for the benefit of waterfowl, other wildlife, flora, and people
- WHC has also awarded OPG with several other awards since 1999, including two 20th Anniversary Signatures of Sustainability Awards given to Pickering Nuclear and Darlington Nuclear in 2007.
For further information on these and other upcoming events scheduled as part of OPG Biodiversity 2009, visit www.opgbiodiversity.ca.
- 30 -
For information contact:
Ontario Power Generation
Media Relations
1.877.592.4008 or
416.592.4008
