Our Stories
May 30, 2019
2 min read

OPG’s Niagara Operations certified Gold by Wildlife Habitat Council

Earlier this year, OPG’s Niagara Operations was designated as “Gold Certified” by the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC).

The plant group, which includes the Sir Adam Beck hydroelectric generating stations (GS) in Niagara Falls, received the certification on Jan. 4.

The habitat of a group of endangered Allegheny Mountain dusky salamanders was protected in 2017 during the refurbishment of the massive 750-acre reservoir at OPG’s Sir Adam Beck Pump Generating Station in Niagara Falls.
The habitat of a group of endangered Allegheny Mountain dusky salamanders was protected in 2017 during the refurbishment of the reservoir at OPG's Sir Adam Beck Pump Generating Station in Niagara Falls.

“This designation recognizes Niagara Ops’ commitment to biodiversity and conservation work at its various sites across the region,” said John Sanna, Site Environmental Advisor with OPG.

This work includes providing habitats for birds across the region through a nesting box monitoring program in place since 2007 as well as hosting hundreds of honey bees each summer in areas around OPG’s DeCew I and II GS.

The WHC certifies conservation programs on corporate lands around the world and promotes environmental management through various partnerships and education. All applications for certification are reviewed and scored on an individual basis by a third party against project specific criteria.

A score can fall into three categories: Certified, Certified Silver, and Certified Gold. The Gold Certification is a three-year designation, after which the station will have to reapply.

“This designation recognizes Niagara Ops’ commitment to biodiversity and conservation work at its various sites across the region."
John Sanna, Site Environmental Advisor with OPG

Niagara Operations will be formally recognized at the annual WHC Conference in Baltimore this November. The group is also in the running for additional awards – including Habitat of the Year – which will be announced during the event.

The Sir Adam Beck Pump Generating Station in Niagara Falls.
The Sir Adam Beck Pump Generating Station in Niagara Falls.

Over the years, OPG has received special recognition by the WHC for the company’s efforts to maintain or enhance significant natural areas or species of concern.

Last February, OPG’s Eastern Operations hydroelectric group and its dual-fuelled Lennox GS received Gold Certification in recognition of biodiversity and conservation work taking place at these sites.

And in 2017, OPG’s Darlington and Pickering Nuclear generating stations were also recognized with WHC’s highest conservation certification.

Across the company, OPG is engaged in a number of programs with conservation authorities and agencies that range from habitat restoration to planting native trees and shrubs to managing ponds and wetlands.

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