Copper Basin Project

About the Program
Occidental Petroleum Corporation's Copper Basin Project is located at a reclaimed mine site in southeastern Tennessee. The project team's overall conservation objective is to restore native habitat for a variety of wildlife. They have developed multiple avian projects for wood ducks, eastern bluebirds and raptors. 

Practices and Impacts

• The raptor project began in 2019 and focuses on providing better roosting areas for birds of prey and nest boxes for kestrels. Three kestrel boxes were added in 2019 and moved to more appropriate locations based on advice from a partner. In 2020, one of the boxes was occupied. Monitoring of the boxes occurs annually.
• Beginning in 2010, the eastern bluebird project involves the monitoring of 17 nest boxes. The team observed that only 0-29% of the nest boxes were occupied by bluebirds in 2020 as compared to 63%-100% in previous years.
• The project team began their wood duck project in 2010 and maintain and monitor 22 nest boxes. They observed 25-38% occupancy between 2021-2023.
• Nearly 900 acres of grassland habitat is maintained to support wildlife populations. Aerial imagery is captured to understand the success of the project and identify any barren lands.
• Throughout the 131 acres on the site, the team works to improve the wetlands and water bodies habitat and water quality. The team stocked the waterbodies in 2002 with bluegill and large-mouth bass. Monitoring of fish and wildlife species observed in the habitats occurs annually.