Local DuPont plant receives Habitat Conservation award SAYREVILLE - Employees at DuPont's Parlin Plant received international recognition for their contributions to wildlife habitat conservation at the recent Wildlife Habitat Council's (WHC) 18th annual symposium, "Connecting People & Nature." The Parlin Plant was one of 175 sites honored at the symposium for creating a habitat program, according to a press release from WHC, a nonprofit group that recognizes outstanding wildlife habitat management and environmental education efforts at corporate sites. DuPont's manufacturing facility is located on 350 acres, with 140 acres available for wildlife habitat enhancement. Its wildlife management plan focuses on goals that include adapting a former landfill area into the wildlife management plan, enhancing the pump-and-treat set-up area for wildlife, providing habitat enhancements at the equalization pond, monitoring natural nesting areas and incorporating wildlife-friendly and native vegetation into open areas of the manufacturing site. Presently, there are more than 30 nest boxes throughout the site for screech owls, bluebirds, wrens, wood ducks, purple martins and woodpeckers. The wildlife team regularly monitors these boxes as well as natural nests on-site. In addition to the bird boxes, there are several seed feeders and birdbaths strategically located throughout the property. Invasive species have been removed and native wildflowers planted to encourage wildlife use in several areas of the site, including a 10-acre area formerly used as a landfill. DuPont's wildlife team has more than 80 employee volunteers who are active in creating gardens that attract wildlife while beautifying areas around the site. The plant site is open for access by local schools and civic groups.