The South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) certified Martin Marietta’s Berkeley Quarry as a Wildlife And Industry Together (W.A.I.T.) site in April 2017.  The W.A.I.T. program recognizes industries who are dedicated to protecting the environment and keep wildlife needs in mind when making their land management decisions.  Martin Marietta joins 29 other plants in the state with this distinction, including BMW, Michelin, Honda of SC, Duke Energy, FujiFilm, Spartanburg Water, and several others. 

Martin Marietta, a member of the S&P 500 Index, is an American-based company and a leading supplier of building materials – including aggregates, cement, ready mixed concrete and asphalt.  Through a network of operations spanning 26 states, Canada, The Bahamas and the Caribbean islands, dedicated Martin Marietta teams supply the resources necessary for building the solid foundations on which our communities thrive.  At Berkeley Quarry, employees mine marine limestone and process it into aggregates (crushed stone, sand and gravel) of various grades and sizes.  These materials are used in a variety of construction, chemical and industrial applications.

SCWF acknowledged that Martin Marietta is proudly committed to being a good steward of the environment.  The W.A.I.T. certification recognizes that Berkeley Quarry has taken a leading role in environmental protection, in part by utilizing the 4000 acre Walworth Plantation property adjacent to the quarry and reclaiming land associated with a former slot mining operation across the street from the active quarry.  In addition to planting quail and dove food plots by the previous owner, management has plans to install bat houses, duck and bird boxes to enhance the natural population and diversity of wildlife.  The company’s Timber Management Plan used by the quarry will include conversion of a portion of the loblolly pine to a long-leaf pine ecosystem.  An abundance of roads and numerous walking trails allow the site to be used for wildlife enhancement and educational opportunities for local schools, civic and church organizations.

If you are interested in learning more about the WAIT program, contact SCWF Wildlife Habitat Manager, Laura Blake-Orr, via email by clicking here, or call her at 803-256-0670.