Clean-up initiative helps restore nature in crucial conservation area

• Sustainability initiative
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Sustainability goal: environmental 

Bruks Siwertell Group is continuing its strategic long-term sustainability commitment with each business unit undertaking a variety of initiatives designed to contribute to positive change, including a commitment to social sustainability through helping local and regional communities. 

The Group’s Atlanta business unit in Georgia, USA, Bruks Siwertell Americas, has partnered with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR) to positively impact one of region’s most important conservation areas, Sprewell Bluff Park, Thomaston.

The 26.3km2 (6,495-acre) park is part of a wildlife management zone, with the Flint River running through it. It is home to a unique ecosystem of animal and plant species, including ancient longleaf pines.  

Solution and results

Several participants from the Atlanta office volunteered to support the conservation efforts, working in conjunction with the GA DNR to clean-up the remote roads that intertwine and connect the Sprewell Bluff conservation area. 

The first clean-up event was carried out at the end of September 2024. Working their way along 10km worth of Sprewell Bluff’s access roads, the volunteers removed around 400kg of litter and debris from the verges.
  
Over recent years, the GA DNR has made significant restoration efforts in the park. “It is truly a special place for Georgia,” says Ken Upchurch, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Bruks Siwertell. “It allows visitors to explore nature unincumbered by urban development. Bruks Siwertell is very proud to contribute to these efforts, and help maintain a part of the state that is extremely important to Georgia’s heritage.    

“In Sprewell, there are long distances of remote roads that allow visitors to access the vast areas of natural landscape,” continues Upchurch. “Unfortunately, many visitors do not understand the meaning of ‘leave no trace’, so many of these roads and verges are littered with trash and debris, which negatively impacts its inherent beauty, but more importantly, the wildlife that lives there. 

“Our team was tasked with helping to address this, and restore and maintain the natural beauty of the area, allowing visitors to appreciate it in its natural form,” adds Upchurch. “We see our participation in this work as an ongoing commitment to the environment and also our local community. The more engaged we are with both, the more we will recognize their importance, and the drive for us to preserve them.” 

Bruks Siwertell Group hopes to continue with these conservation efforts and intends for this to be an ongoing annual event. 

Monitoring and assessing sustainability milestones and achievements

Bruks Siwertell Group’s sustainability goals are assessed from an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) perspective, with each initiative falling into one or more of these categories. This is to clarify how different initiatives impact our overall sustainability work, and how their results can be used to maximum effect. It also contributes to our commitment to transparency. All aspects of our sustainability work are designed to be educational, so that we increase our knowledge and adjust our ambitions accordingly.