Biodiversity
Biophilia
At WSC, vegetation is part of our DNA. We know there is value in surrounding ourselves with plants, even in our offices. Plants improve air quality, absorb pollutants, reduce airport dust, and absorb background noise, creating a positive environment for our employees and guests. Wright Outdoor Solutions (WOS) supplies the corporate office with plants placed throughout the office: in the lobby, offices, workstations, common areas, café and other areas throughout the office. They also provide landscaping work and a different seasonal arrangement for our front desk in the lobby each week.
Employee Community Garden
The Community Garden is overseen by the Wellness committee and offers 34 plots that are assigned to employees who sign-up for garden space. At the start of each season the committee sends a sign-up sheet out to WSC employees and then assigns garden beds to the individuals who have shown an interest. Each garden bed has an irrigation system to assist with watering and a shed available for employees to use to house tools and materials. A compost bin is located just outside the garden shed door to dispose of wasted produce and plants. At the end of the season, the committee does a garden clean up and provides a larger compost bin just outside the garden gates for gardeners to use to get their plots clean and ready for winter.
Arboretrum
On the northwest side of the WSC corporate office is a 3-acre pollinator habitat and an accompanying employee walking trail. WSC partnered with the Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund (BBHF) Seed a Legacy program to designate the area for a native pollinator habitat. The BBHF works with landowners, conservationists, scientists and beekeepers to design and build healthy and sustainable pollinator habitats. The BBHF’s project on campus grounds establishes a high-quality habitat that allows honeybee and monarch butterfly populations to thrive.
To kick off the habitat creation process, a cover crop seeding of oats was mutilized to protect the soil surface and suppress weeds. In November 2021, the corporate office staff hand-seeded the area for frost seeding with a 2022 spring germination. Two separate seed mixes were planted: one a low native prairie mix dedicated to bee pollinator species and the other a tall native prairie mix for butterfly pollinator species. By planting two separate mixtures, WSC provides diverse, lush, and dense forage, which can also be used as a prescribed fire break. The monarch mix contains slower growing wildflowers that will provide nectar resources for monarchs and other pollinators, and a place for monarchs to lay eggs.
Growing Process
Spring 2023 was the second full growing season. Native plants hit heights over three feet for the first time, and blooms from early establishers began to appear. Mowing and spot treatment, provided by Wright Outdoor Solutions, helped to suppress weeds, and contributed to pollinator mix success.
In 2024, the habitat was full of vibrant growth and activity. A wide variety of plants bloomed throughout the season, contributing to a lively environment attracting a range of insects and wildlife. The area continues to evolve offering employees a peaceful place to walk and observe nature.
