Southern Services Landfill

About the Program
Waste Management operates the Southern Services Landfill near downtown Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee. The area surrounding the site is fairly developed, with limited and increasingly fragmented habitat. The landfill is adjacent to 30 acres of phase 1 and phase 2 mitigation wetlands that serve as a buffer zone to allow for movement of native wildlife from the forested uplands north of the site to the Cumberland River. Since 2010, the team has managed the area as habitat and as a focal point for conservation education initiatives and wildlife rehabilitation opportunities. 

Practices and Impacts

• The 30 acres of wetland act as a large buffer zone for the Cumberland River and provide habitat for many species including wood ducks, bald eagles, double-crested cormorants and barn owls. The site additionally maintains an area used as a great blue heron rookery. 
• The project team began focusing on eradicating invasive species such as Bradford pears and honeysuckle, which opened up access to more areas for both humans and wildlife. Trail camera monitoring has shown an increase in wildlife usage of the area including a bobcat. 
• Employees and partners maintain four wood duck and 14 bluebird nest boxes. In 2023, four new duck boxes and 10 song bird boxes were installed or replaced existing boxes. Semi-annual bird counts on-site have demonstrated the overall success of the project.