Clinchfield Cement Plant

About the Program
The Clinchfield Cement Plant operated by CEMEX is located in central Georgia, encompassing 3,300 acres of land, of which 2,000 acres are managed for forestland wildlife in the Ocmulgee River basin. This area is home to many species of native wildlife dependent on bottomland floodplain and upland hardwood forests. Forests here are dominated by oak trees, which provide an important seasonal food sources (acorns). The program contains several conservation projects to protect and promote native species on-site such as pollinators, black bears and white-tailed deer, as well as invasive species management of feral hogs.

Practices and Impacts

• In conjunction with local wildlife experts (GA DNR), state transportation agency and the University of Georgia, CEMEX has monitored and studied the local black bear population to better understand the impact of the highway expansion project, including scientifically rigorous study of black bear movement and habitat use and a genetic study of local black bear population (hair snaring and analysis).
• The team has 3-4 sites on property that are set with bait stations and cameras to track the movement of black bears. These sites are monitored weekly.
• Monitoring data showed a decrease in black bear activity through 2018-2019. It is believed that controlled burns could possibly be an issue. According to a wildlife biologist, GA DNR will be reducing controlled burns in the future to see the effect on the bear activity and movement in central Georgia.
• The Whitetail Deer Wildlife Management project includes monitoring and sustainable management through sustainable hunting of whitetail deer populations on site. The project monitors using wildlife cameras and photos from employees.
• The Feral (Wild) Hog Wildlife Management program aims to control and monitor invasive feral hogs on site. The project monitors using wildlife cameras and photos from employees.
• The program features three projects aimed at pollinator conservation, including: a landscaped habitat that contains native species that benefit pollinators, a pollinator project that monitors pollinators on-site and an educational project that provides resources and butterfly kits to local schools and employees.