Commitment to Conservation
In January 2000, Terry and Mark Brockway purchased 1,600 acres of flood plain located at the confluence of the Skunk and Mississippi Rivers, in one of the largest and most important pools in the entire Mississippi river system. The property, which consists of back water riparian sloughs, lakes, ponds, and bottom land timber, had been silted in and logged in preparation for a quarry operation. The brothers’ goal was to restore the property to the way it was 60 years ago.
The restoration plan required a well-balanced effort by the Des Moines County Conservation Board, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and private natural resource management professionals. The Brockways enrolled and certified 1,295 acres in the Forest Reserve program.
Management of an area that typically floods annually requires special techniques and patience. The brothers mapped the forest resources for management units for a prescribed burn management plan. In addition, they constructed a 100-acre moist soil unit with 4 structures, planted 11,000 plugs of Prairie Cord Grass and other wetland forbs, developed 200 acres with shallow water excavation, seeded 80 acres of wetland prairie, planted 4,000 mast-producing RPM trees, and constructed and installed 250 wood duck boxes. Some of these projects were cost shared, but most of them were funded by the Brockways.
The Greater Blue Heron Wildlife Refuge is used as a model restoration site. The Brockways pride themselves in showcasing their project to others who are interested in restoring their properties. As a result, the surrounding area is rapidly being enhanced due to their example. Terry particularly enjoys enlightening school groups and children to the wonders of nature.
Green Sustainability:
Maintaining a Local Wildlife Refuge
AWARDEE
2007 LANDOWNER STEWARDSHIP
Mark and Terry Brockway
Greater Blue Heron Wildlife Refuge
Burlington, Iowa
Solar Panels:
OUR New Corporate Building
Our commitment to conservation starts from within our own company buildings, and our new corporate office was built with the environment in mind from the start. Solar panels help run our day-to-day electricity needs to the tune of about 95% of our electrical building load! They’re an easy way to practice what we preach and show our stakeholders how good it feels to go green.
Green Rooftops
Looking for an easy way to go green? We’ve diversified our roofing expertise to now include green roofing solutions–and we mean that quite literally.
What are green rooftops? Vegetative roofing that can be customized for the space and vision of your company. Besides adding an interesting visual element to your commercial building, they also help with water quality, emissions, and waste management. Green roofing can take on a unique look through the use of various plant and grass options. You can even recycle your roof if you decide to go with another roofing solution later on!
If your company is interested in LEED certification, green rooftops can help you gain points towards this impactful initiative.
White Rooftops
Reflect the power of the sun with white/tan membranes on your rooftops. Incorporating this roofing solution also lowers the surface temperature, which allows your HVAC system to work more efficiently.
Low VOC Roof Components
This roofing solution makes it possible to reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that may be odorous, irritating, or in some other way harmful to inhabitants.
Daylighting Systems
This sustainable solution is a great investment—with local and federal government incentives and rebates available to offset the cost, which pays itself off within 3 years of installation. Besides offering increased energy efficiency over time, it also reduces water pollution and the production of greenhouse gases.
Membrane Recycling
Through a strategic recycling partnership with Firestone, we can offer an eco-friendly end to your old roof at the end of its lifecycle. Get in touch with us before your next tear down project to determine the proper steps necessary for this roofing solution.