Page 73 - 2022 Sustainability Report

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

A Tree to Call Home

Endangered Bat Finds Protected Habitat
at Martin Marietta Sand Plant

When looking out on the grounds of Raccoon River Sand,
it may not make sense why so many unhealthy trees have
been left standing. These trees are old, unattractive and, in
many cases, dead. But these are exactly the conditions in
which some flying mammals, specifically the Indiana bat,
thrive.

The Indiana bat is native to North America, living primarily
in the southern and midwestern United States. The animal
has a particular preference for the trees and pests at the
aggregates operation in West Des Moines, Iowa. The bat –
averaging 1-2 inches in length and weighing 0.16 - 0.34
ounces – hibernates year-round in hardwood pine forests,
mainly eating insects such as moths, beetles and
mosquitoes.

Bat Habitat
Indiana Bat
Raccoon River, IA

Since 1967, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed the
“We have been working with the U.S. Army Corps of
Indiana bat as endangered. Despite this status and a
Engineers-Rock Island District (USACE), U. S. Fish and
multitude of protective measures put in place as a result, the
Wildlife and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources,”
Indiana bat has seen severe population decline. In the past
he says. “Because of this teamwork, Martin Marietta has
decade alone, the population is believed to have decreased
been able to dedicate a section of land on the ground to
by more than half. This startling statistic is why Martin
make sure the trees remain unbothered so the bats can
Marietta local team members wanted to ensure they could
remain safe in their habitat.”
take meaningful steps to help protect these animals.
While this preservation effort is important to the Indiana
Senior Environmental Engineer James Marek says the
bat, it is also providing additional habitat for the Silver-
Company has preserved 25 acres of woodlands with
haired bat, the Hoary bat, the Northern long-eared bat and
cottonwoods, shagbark hickory, hackberry and silver maple
several other species, Marek says, noting that such work is
since discovering the bats were present on the site. Marek
an essential element in Martin Marietta’s commitment to
said the team has partnered with multiple groups to
environmental stewardship.
ensure the process was handled properly.

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