Vale S A : Environmental Project In Canada Helps Rare Endangered Species of Butterfly

8/25/2020

Vale's Environmental Project In Canada Helps Rare Endangered Species of Butterfly

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Becoming an increasingly sustainable company is one of the goals of its operations worldwide. In Canada, the results of more than 10 years of reforestation surrounding the Sudbury basin are already being seen. Thanks to the planting and growing of milkweed in the region, a rare endangered species of butterfly has reappeared. The monarch butterfly populations have been reduced by more than 80% in the past 25 years due to the loss of their natural habitat. At the caterpillar stage, they only eat milkweed, which makes them a rare species on the planet. If milkweed is not found, the species migrates to areas where this plant is present. In Canada, after more than a century of mining and logging, milkweed was gone. 'We saw an opportunity for Vale to help this population of butterflies,' explained Vale's project engineer, Quentin Smith. 'The monarch butterflies are important pollinators. If we manage to bring this species back to this region, we will be able to help the ecosystem as a whole.' Reforestation Since 2007, Vale has reforested more than 150 acres. Canada's environmental team has established effective planting techniques in the region affected by the mining activity. Bulldozers are used to draw curves on the slopes and, thus, allow plant growth and water drainage. A type of clay is applied to the surface and sprayed with hydro-seeds to cover the grass; it allows the planting of several seedlings and trees. Wild flowers and milkweeds are some examples of the seeds included in the mix to improve the biodiversity and beauty of the region. Some bee colonies are also placed in the region to act as natural pollinators. Vale grows almost 500 plants of this type per year. Some are donated to schools that create butterfly gardens and the rest are planted in areas that are visible to the local community. ​ ​