Monsanto Muscatine Plant Voluntary Initiative Benefits
Gina MacIlwraithESHS Area Leader
May 10, 2006
2 2006 Environmental Summit
Who Is Monsanto?
Global provider of technology based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality.
3 2006 Environmental Summit
Monsanto Pledge
• Dialogue• Respect• Transparency• Sharing • Benefits
Internally, we also pledge to:
• Act as owners to achieve results
• Create a great place to work
We base all that we do on a foundation of integrity, including honesty, decency, consistency and courage. Building on those values, we are committed to:
4 2006 Environmental Summit
Corporate Support for Voluntary Initiatives
• Started with OSHA – Voluntary Protection Program
• Supported Performance Track from inception
• Wildlife Habitat Council Certification strongly encouraged
Provides external recognition for Pledge stewardship
5 2006 Environmental Summit
Performance Track Membership
• Formalized existing hard work of employees• Improved environmental management system• Improved focus on key aspects and
management review • Initial 3 year commitments – Saved 2.9% in cost of
goods– 97% Reduction in BOD - 47% Waste Use Reduction – 80% Reduction in Solid Waste - 62% Reduction in Energy
• Second round commitments – Additional 1% savings estimated
6 2006 Environmental Summit
Habitat Stewardship and Community Outreach
• Multi-faceted approach– Nature Preserve Management– Site Prairie Restoration– Employee Volunteer Projects– Community Education and
Support
7 2006 Environmental Summit
Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve
• 510 Acres• Monsanto and Mid-American
Energy co-own the property• Managed by Louisa Ecological
Advisory Committee– Science based experts– Long term management plan:
• Conserve and enhance existing ecological communities
• Manage endangered species• Enhance ecological communities• Accommodate research• Protect archeological features
8 2006 Environmental Summit
Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve
• Home to several rare and threatened species– 352 Native plant species– 30 rare plants and animals, including previously
endangered Illinois mud turtle
• Sand prairie ecosystem– Diversity– Isolated section near Mississippi River
• Public Outreach– Boy Scout volunteers – invasive removal– Public Field Days – educate community– Local School groups – highlight biological, archeological,
historical, significance (in cooperation with the Muscatine County Conservation Board)
9 2006 Environmental Summit
External Advisors
• Louisa Ecological Advisory Committee– BioEco Research and Monitoring
Center– Drake University– Muscatine Community College– Louisa County Conservation Board– Muscatine County Conservation
Board– University of Iowa– The Nature Conservancy
• Walnut Creek National Wildlife Refuge and Prairie Learning Center
10 2006 Environmental Summit
Sand Prairie Restoration
• 1992 and 1998 Restoration Projects– Formerly agricultural land– Returned to Native Sand Prairie
• 60 Acres: Prairie grass and wildflowers
• 40 Acres: Succession prairie with intervention mowing
• 40 Acres: Over seeded with bluestem grass
• 1 Acre: Butterfly Garden
11 2006 Environmental Summit
Sand Prairie Restoration
• 2005 WHC Certification– Nominated for “Rookie of the Year”
• Utilizing Opportunities Report for future enhancements– Interpretive trail– Enhanced educational program – Corporate
Lands for Learning
• Outreach – Sharing our treasure– Earth Alliance Booth– Partnering with new Environmental Center
12 2006 Environmental Summit
Other External Recognitions
• Governor of Iowa’s Environmental Excellence Awards– Air Quality 2003– Emissions Reductions 2003– Wildlife Habitat Restoration
2004
• American Chemistry Council– Energy Efficiency 2002– Waste Reduction 2003
13 2006 Environmental Summit
Challenges for Voluntary Initiatives
• Quantifying business value• Budget constraints• External community challenges • Recognizing employee efforts • Patience• Perseverance
14 2006 Environmental Summit
Benefits of Voluntary Initiatives
• Demonstrates premises of Monsanto Pledge• Provides opportunity to build relationships
with non-traditional partners• Enhances property boundary and erosion
control• Supports wildlife habitat for local pheasant
and deer populations, migrating butterflies• Provides community rest and relaxation area• Enhances the community familiarity,
respect, and support of Monsanto
16 2006 Environmental Summit
Employees
• Work diligently to maintain safe operations
• Pride in site and community and environmental impact
• Volunteer to support environmental programs
17 2006 Environmental Summit
Detailed Aspect Analysis
Categories of Aspects• Energy Use• Water Use• Materials• Air Emissions• Solid Waste• Off-site Waste Disposal• Potential Accidental
Releases• Wildlife Habitat
Ranking of Aspects• Frequency of
Occurrence• Human Impact• Environmental Impact• Impact Permanence• Regulatory Influence• Community Reaction• Cost
18 2006 Environmental Summit
Monsanto Pledge
We base all that we do on a foundation of integrity, including honesty, decency, consistency and courage. Building on those values, we are committed to:
Dialogue:Dialogue: We will listen carefully to diverse points of view and engage in thoughtful We will listen carefully to diverse points of view and engage in thoughtful dialogue to broadendialogue to broadenour understanding of issues in order to better address the needs and concerns of society.our understanding of issues in order to better address the needs and concerns of society.
Respect:Respect: We will respect the religious, cultural and ethical concerns of people throughout We will respect the religious, cultural and ethical concerns of people throughout the world. Thethe world. Thesafety of our employees, the communities where we operate, our customers, consumers and safety of our employees, the communities where we operate, our customers, consumers and the environmental the environmental will be our highest priority.will be our highest priority.
TransparencyTransparency: We will ensure that information is available, accessible and : We will ensure that information is available, accessible and understandable.understandable.
Sharing:Sharing: We will share knowledge and technology to advance scientific understanding, to We will share knowledge and technology to advance scientific understanding, to improve agricultureimprove agricultureand the environment, to improve crops, and to help farmers in developing countries.and the environment, to improve crops, and to help farmers in developing countries.
Benefits:Benefits: We will deliver high-quality products that are beneficial to our customers and to We will deliver high-quality products that are beneficial to our customers and to the environment,the environment,with sound and innovative science, and thoughtful and effective stewardship.with sound and innovative science, and thoughtful and effective stewardship.
Internally, we also pledge to:Internally, we also pledge to:
Act as Owners to Achieve Results:Act as Owners to Achieve Results: We will create clarity of direction, roles and We will create clarity of direction, roles and accountability; build strong relationships with our customer and external partners; make accountability; build strong relationships with our customer and external partners; make wise decisions; steward our company resources; and take responsibility for achieving agreed wise decisions; steward our company resources; and take responsibility for achieving agreed upon results.upon results.
Create a Great Place to WorkCreate a Great Place to Work: We will ensure diversity of people and thought; foster : We will ensure diversity of people and thought; foster innovation, creativelyinnovation, creativelyand learning; practice inclusive teamwork; and reward and recognize our people.and learning; practice inclusive teamwork; and reward and recognize our people.