Sustainability Report 2024 - FINAL-web - Flipbook - Page 19
Planet
19
Sustainable Initiatives
Paper Offset
In the spring of 2024, Pipestone team members competed in a walking
challenge aimed to offset our of昀椀ce paper use. Pipestone of昀椀ces use about
100,000 sheets of paper throughout the year. One tree is equivalent to
1,000 sheets of paper, resulting in a net loss of 100 trees. In cooperation
with TreeCard, Pipestone employees created teams to motivate each other
to take as many steps as they could through the four-week challenge.
For every 10,000 steps, TreeCard partners plant a tree as part of their
reforestation projects around the world. The Pipestone team logged an
impressive 5,711,945 steps for the challenge, resulting in more than 500
trees being planted!
Pollinator Habitat
Pollinator habitats offer a wealth of bene昀椀ts. They boost biodiversity by
supporting native plants and animals and provide essential ecosystem
services, such as pollination, pest control, improved soil and water quality,
and carbon sequestration. These habitats sustain wildlife, serving as a food
source for species like pheasants and turkeys, while also enhancing the
beauty of outdoor spaces
Pipestone prepared and planted two barn sites with two different pollinator
seed mixes—one designed to support local bee species and the other
focused on the Monarch butter昀氀y. In collaboration with Monarch Joint
Venture, we received regionally adapted seed mixes to enhance the survival
and success of these plots. Monarch Joint Venture provides the seeds in
exchange for our commitment to maintaining the plots and promoting
pollinator habitat. This year, the habitats took hold and are thriving, as seen
here.
Adopt-a-highway
Pipestone team members volunteered their time to clean up 2
miles of highway on Highway 30 just East of Pipestone. Over three
hours, we collected 6 bags of trash equaling about 50 pounds of
highway litter! Additionally, team members from the Rensselaer,
IN of昀椀ce worked with the Indiana DNR on their Adopt-a-Ramp
program to clean up trash at the public access site.