Monarch populations are on the decline, but CEMEX USA is doing its part to help save this iconic butterfly by providing habitats for the monarchs during their yearly migration. By participating in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wildlife Habitat Council’s (WHC) Monarch Partnership, CEMEX USA is leading the industry in promoting habitat conservation and management on its properties by planting pollinator gardens and promoting educational initiatives.

CEMEX USA has 17 sites participating in the Southeast Monarch Initiative with locations throughout the migration path, including cement plants, aggregate quarries, ready-mix plants and regional offices. All of these sites are participating in 2016 and/or 2017 to make efforts to restore the Monarch population by planting milkweeds, native prairie-seed mixes, wildflowers and/or other plants beneficial to pollinators in designated onsite habitats and gardens.“At our Louisville Cement Plant, for example, our team planted a Southern Monarch Habitat Seed Mix on about an acre of designated habitat land to provide food sources for the Monarch butterfly and increase other plant and wildlife populations,” said CEMEX USA Vice President – Environmental Affairs Satish Sheth.

“WHC encourages teams working on voluntary conservation initiatives to seek out alignments that are meaningful to them. In choosing to support the monarch butterfly, CEMEX not only contributes to the President’s Pollinator Health Task Force, but also demonstrates that the private sector has the means and influence to create a conservation impact, to leverage resources to restore ecosystems and enhance biodiversity,” said WHC President Margaret O’Gorman.

At the Ready Mix USA facilities, CEMEX focused not only on planting pollinator-friendly vegetation, but also on awareness and collaboration with over 25 employees participating in the efforts to plant milkweed and bring the monarch butterfly back.

“From small gardens at our regional offices to larger efforts at our cement plants, our team members are dedicated to good land stewardship and proud to be a part of the Monarch Habitat Initiative,” said CEMEX USA President Ignacio Madridejos.

Additionally, CEMEX currently maintains 18 sites in the United States and Mexico with Conservation Certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council for its conservation education programs, superior management of wildlife enhancement and land stewardship projects. Visit cemexnature.com to read more about CEMEX’s conservation efforts in the U.S. and around the world.

CEMEX is a global building materials company that provides high-quality products and reliable service to customers and communities in more than 50 countries throughout the world. For more information, visit www.cemexusa.com.

Wildlife Habitat Council promotes and certifies habitat conservation and management on corporate lands through partnerships and education. WHC’s programs take corporate sustainability goals and objectives and translate them into tangible and measurable on-the-ground actions. Through a focus on building collaboration for conservation with corporate employees, other conservation organizations, government agencies and community members, WHC programs focus on healthy ecosystems and connected communities. WHC-assisted wildlife habitat and conservation education programs are found in 45 states, the District of Columbia and 13 countries. www.wildlifehc.org.