OSTRANDER, Ohio—Oldcastle Materials and its local company The Shelly Co. on July 30 hosted about 100 volunteers, who worked on nine projects to enhance the environment and support biodiversity at the Ostrander Wildlife Habitat Site in Ohio.
The half-day project was a service component of the annual meeting of Oldcastle’s Strategic Sourcing team. The team, which performs Oldcastle’s procurement functions, last year decided to include a community service project as part of the meeting.
Last year’s project was a team effort with Oldcastle companies Staker Parson Companies and Amcor Masonry in Salt Lake City. The groups worked on the landscaping and beautified the grounds at the Christmas Box House, a nonprofit that supports abused and neglected children.
This year’s event included four projects that were led by Boy Scouts earning their Eagle Scout merit badges. Among the tasks completed were building a site viewing platform, converting a 1960s scale house into a nature center, installing 20 signs along the trails and throughout the habitats, establishing a quail habitat and releasing about 300 quail there, installing a kiosk with a site map, planting wetland plants, and building a safety fence along the edge of the wildlife habitat property.
“We have 15 wildlife sites throughout Oldcastle Materials, and, thanks to the Shelly team, the Ostrander site is exceptional,” said Oldcastle Materials CEO Randy Lake. “Oldcastle is committed to sustainability, and these sites are a great way not only to restore the mined land to a thriving natural state but also to share a terrific educational resource with school groups and others in the community.
“This project also was a wonderful opportunity to work side by side with several dedicated, hard-working Boy Scouts and to help them achieve their service badges.”
There are five wildlife habitat sites in Ohio, and the 83-acre Ostrander site is adjacent to an active limestone-mining operation. The Shelly Co. hosts community events on the sites and promotes outdoor education.
“Beautiful weather, eager volunteers and a strong plan created an excellent experience for all at the Ostrander Wildlife Habitat Site,” said Kevin Cooperrider, mine planning, property and wildlife site manager for the Shelly Materials Southern Division. “I am impressed by and grateful for the extra effort by all the people who make the Ostrander Wildlife Habitat Site a special place for everyone.”
