Page 85 - Martin Marietta - 2024 Sustainability Report

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Other Biodiversity Efforts construction of artificial nesting boxes to encourage
additional birds into the habitat. This site also participates in
Because we own and lease many thousands of acres of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation’s W.A.I.T. (Wildlife and
land, we are also active managers of significant forest Industry Together) program. This program encourages the
resources. Management and replenishment of this resource protection and enhancement of wildlife on industry lands.
is top of mind for our operations. For instance, beginning in
2015, our East Division implemented a timber management
program. Since 2017 the division has planted more than
1.4 million trees reclaiming several thousand acres of forest.
Our sites also actively partner with local agencies, as
well as organizations like the South Carolina Department of
Natural Resources. For example, our Berkeley
Quarry entered into a Safe Harbor Agreement with
the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
covering 2,050 acres at its Berkeley property for the
protection of the endangered Red Cockaded Woodpecker.
This 99 year agreement includes habitat buffers to protect the
existing nesting tree, along with annual habitat enhancement Endangered Red
activities including thinning, controlled burns and Cockaded Woodpecker

The Bear Necessities
Martin Marietta Helps Scientists Study Black Bear Population and Health

With help from Martin Marietta, a team with the North Wildlife technicians collected more than 13,000 samples
Carolina Coastal Black Bear Project has conducted during the study and said each one will provide a wealth of
important research on the American Black Bear population data about the region’s bears, including the size and health
in the eastern part of the state. The group — made up of of the overall population. Such information can be
technicians from North Carolina State University, incredibly valuable said Coastal Black Bear Project Crew
Mississippi State University, the North Carolina Wildlife Lead Stephanie McFadden. “Black Bears are an important
Resource Commission and several other wildlife institutions indicator of a healthy ecosystem, which helps ensure
— conducted a wide-ranging research study to gain biodiversity and improves human health. Having an
valuable insight into black bear genetics, density and opportunity to learn more about their behavior and
abundance across North Carolina’s coastal plains. ecology and knowing that our work will be used to inform
management practices that help protect and preserve
Researchers set up more than 1,300 temporary hair sampling them is an honor,” she said. “Our work wouldn’t be
sites across nearly 40 eastern coastal counties in 2023 and possible without the cooperation of landowners and
2024. Included in that group were 14 sites on various Martin companies like Martin Marietta.”
Marietta properties, including the Maple Hill, Angola Bay and
Dale properties, Rocky Point Quarry and Leland Yard. Martin Marietta East Division Land Manager Mitch Scott
said the Coastal Black Bear Project’s research aligns
Collection stations were located in accessible wooded perfectly with the company’s environmental stewardship
areas to ensure a suitable environment for the research priorities. “Martin Marietta was able to utilize its vast land
equipment. Locations were also selected to ensure the holdings to allow educational research for data collection,”
work of the researchers and miners did not conflict. Each he said. “This was a great opportunity to assist in wildlife
collection site was surrounded by a barbed wire enclosure research and help to further our sustainability efforts.”
and baited with foods selected specifically to attract bears.
As a bear entered an enclosure, the wire passively and Director of Environmental Services Steve Whitt, who
gently collected hair samples. worked closely with the research team, echoed Scott’s

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