Delta Dental has always shown interest in working green components into its 112,000 square foot addition and data center, but the greening of the project has gone beyond bricks and mortar.
Delta Dental is working with herpetologists to relocate various animals and reptiles living in its pond, including frogs, toads, snakes and fish, down to the river while the pond is renovated. The renovation coincides with a major drain project.
"As part of the project, one thing we looked at was how we could be a good environmental neighbor," says Delta Spokesman Ari Adler.
When the animals and reptiles are relocated, the pond will be completely drained. Delta Dental has already removed some diseased trees surrounding the pond. When the drain project is finished, Delta Dental will increase the width and depth of the pond and surround it with native species.
"When we're done, it will be very much like a wildflower field," Adler says. "The advantage is that it will attract the right kind of wildlife. Once we're done, we suspect that we will see most of them (animals and reptiles) come back."
The completion of the pond renovation will coincide with the completion of the overall expansion, which includes a 22,000 square foot data center and a 90,000 square foot addition to the headquarters. The expansion is slated to be complete in 2010.
Source: Ari Adler, Delta Dental
Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here.
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