Magnolia, AR: Albemarle’s First WHC Certified Site

You might have heard about our partnership with Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) - an organization that promotes and certifies habitat conservation and management on corporate lands through partnerships and education, but, did you know that our site in Magnolia, Arkansas was the first Albemarle site approved by the WHC in 2006? Learn more about the site, the project and how the team is playing a part in our commitment to sustainability!

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The Idea that Started it All…

In the early 90s, Albemarle engaged a NASA engineer to help turn an idea into reality at our Magnolia, Arkansas plant. The idea was not revolutionary, but the application was: an artificial marsh to manage industrial wastewater at the plant site. Before this time, marshes had been employed as a means of municipal wastewater treatment, but our Magnolia South Plant was the first in the Four State Region to apply this treatment process to an industrial setting.

Magnolia's South Plant, and West Plant on a smaller scale, now have marshes which meet the needs of numerous wildlife species while also providing an economic and environmentally friendly solution for industrial water treatment. The plant can also boast about being Albemarle's first site to achieve its Conservation Certification, awarded by the Wildlife Habitat Council, in 2006.

The Impact: Supporting the Environment and Promoting Education
In addition to its environmental successes, the marshes provide educational opportunities for local students. Over 15 years ago, the South Plant collaborated with Magnolia High School's AP Environmental and Chemistry classes for water testing and wildlife studies at the marshes. These visits over the years have helped grow the students' observation, communication and critical thinking skills.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic reached the US, students were able to visit the marsh and use a mobile phone application to take photos and identify plant species. During their visits, some students even managed to identify species that had not been recognized previously! The site looks forward to welcoming student visits again, once it is safe to do so.

Our Partnership with Wildlife Habitat Council
To read about other projects that have received a certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council, check out the articles below:
Celebrating Earth Day with the Wildlife Habitat Council
Tyrone Nature Trail Supports Ongoing Commitment to Sustainability