Land Use

Our activities have the potential to affect land use, nature and biodiversity, directly and indirectly. Our real estate portfolio includes properties for manufacturing and office use. The construction and operation of these facilities have direct impacts on land. The extent of these impacts depends on the size of each facility and whether it is a greenfield site (involving new construction) or a brownfield site (one previously used for industrial purposes). One example of our efforts to redevelop brownfield sites is the Fairlane Green retail center we developed on a former landfill site.

The most significant potential impacts on land and biodiversity are indirect, occurring elsewhere in our value chain or arising from the use of our vehicles. Indirect impacts include the extraction of raw materials to make vehicle parts, habitat fragmentation from road construction, localized pollution from vehicles and the potential effects of climate change on biodiversity.

Many of our facilities have taken steps to improve biodiversity and wildlife habitat on their lands.

Creating Wildlife Habitat

Eleven of Ford's global facilities have been certified as wildlife habitat sites and/or Corporate Lands for Learning sites by the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the quality and amount of wildlife habitat on corporate, private and public lands. The WHC-certified facilities include the Ford Rouge Center, Michigan Proving Grounds, Research and Engineering Center, and Romeo plant, among others. The WHC certification program recognizes outstanding wildlife habitat management and environmental education efforts and offers third-party validation of the benefits of such programs. Certification requirements are strict and must be periodically renewed.

Ford facility wildlife habitats range in size from five to more than 100 acres and include ecosystems as diverse as wetlands, woodlands, prairies, meadows and forests. They provide habitat for dozens of native plant and wildlife species, and are developed and maintained by Ford employees, often in partnership with local civic and education groups. At many of the facilities, nature trails have been built, bird and bat houses erected, and wildflower gardens planted, in addition to the establishment of wildlife habitats. These facilities have also developed community education programs to encourage broader understanding of the importance of corporate wildlife sanctuaries.

Sustainable Landscapes

A highly visible example of Ford's commitment to sustainability can be seen on more than 100 acres of land throughout southeast Michigan adorned with sunflowers and wildflowers, providing vegetation and habitat for wildlife while reducing mowing and other maintenance costs.

In addition, in Allen Park, Michigan, Ford recently redeveloped a brownfield landfill site into a new commercial center called Fairlane Green.