Atlantic Waste Disposal

About the Program
Atlantic Waste Disposal is located in Waverly, Virginia, approximately 40 miles south of Richmond. Due to the nature of the site, some habitats have been disturbed, leading to a desire to improve habitats where possible. To help address this issue, the team has implemented a series of actions across the site to benefit native species.

Practices and Impacts

• In March 2020, three multi-unit purple martin houses and three bluebird boxes were installed at Atlantic Waste Disposal. The purple martin houses replaced two multi-unit purple martin houses in 2020 that were badly damaged after storms. In March 2023, the team replaced the old bluebird boxes with new ones that supported better access for the team to monitor. These boxes are visually checked monthly, and if eggs are found, nests are monitored more frequently when possible. If non-targeted, invasive species are discovered, they are removed. The site has had success in attracting purple martins since the new houses were installed.
• The site has multiple ponds found throughout that support local fish and wildlife populations. In 2009, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries completed a species count, which was followed by a fish survey by Golder Associates in 2016. The team practices annual catch and release monitoring practices in the spring and summer to assess the fish populations.
• In 2017, a bat box was installed to support local bat population and provide sufficient habitat to combat the disease white-nose syndrome. The boxes are monitored for the presence of bat species and cleaned annually.