WARREN COUNTY – On July 9th, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) awarded the Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations Warren County Plant the Pursuit of Excellence Award at the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards held at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs hotel in Nashville.
“These awards highlight what’s being done in Tennessee to preserve our natural resources, protect public health and the environment, and enhance our quality of life,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. “I applaud all of the 2018 winners for their continued work to make their respective industries and passions more sustainable.”
The Warren County Plant serves the community through multiple conservation initiatives including the Bridgestone Environmental Education Classroom & Habitat (BEECH) program.
The BEECH program inspires the next generation’s interest in the natural environment through hands-on education. As part of the program, students in pre-K through fifth grade visit the 680-acre native landscape at BEECH to learn about wildlife habitats, water conservation and how to care for the environment. On the visits, students walk a 1.7-mile-long nature trail that incorporates 17 lessons at stopping points along the trail, which are sponsored by community organizations. The lessons incorporate hands-on classroom learning and interdisciplinary studies, aligned with Tennessee’s educational standards.
Since 2008, nearly 20,000 students have visited the grounds from Warren and neighboring counties, and 654 teammates have participated in volunteer activities.