GM’s Pollinator Garden In Saginaw, MI Earns Award

The Pollinator Advocate Award was given to GM’s Saginaw Metal Casting Operations plant for their continued dedication to biodiversity at the facility. The location was recognized by the Wildlife Habitat Council for their efforts to protect and reserve pollinators (bees) which, in recent years, have seen an alarming and mysterious decline.

When in bloom (and when it’s not -40 degrees below zero with the current windchill factor) garden itself features purple cone flowers and black-eyed susans that provide nectar for the local bee population. And while most people recognize bees as the annoying little creatures that interrupt family barbecues, fun times at the beach or walks along park trails, too few are aware of the ways these small pollinators benefit everyday life. Bees transfer seeds from plant to plant giving them the fertilizer they need to grow and produce fruits, veggies and other foods. So the next time you bite into a succulent apple or enjoy a delicious piece of pumpkin pie, thank the bees!

GM also aims to preserve resources around their facilities. On top of protecting pollinators, GM has reduced water consumption between 2005 and 2010 by 35 percent and between 2010 and 2012 by four percent. Additionally, the Detroit-based automaker has more wildlife conservation certificates than any other automaker and they dedicate more than 2,000 acres to wildlife preservation at their sites around the world. Plus, company volunteers mentor 8,500 students on water conservation and GM prides itself on passing along knowledge about the environment to the future problem solvers of the world.

It’s refreshing to see GM taking strides towards protecting the environment around their buildings. And by 2020 GM wants to lock in wildlife certifications for each manufacturing site.