James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant

About the Program
Exelon's James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant is located near Oswego, New York, in the town of Scriba. The 900-acre site, which is home to two other power plants, is located on the shores of Lake Ontario. One hundred acres of grassland are maintained and monitored for wildlife. The team is committed to community involvement, with the goal of promoting environmental awareness and stewardship among students and the community.

Practices and Impacts

• In order to support pollinators — and monarch butterflies in particular — the team established a pollinator garden. The aim of this garden is to provide nectar, pollen and cover, ensuring that pollinators have the necessary habitat to reproduce and feed. A total of 720 native plugs were planted in 2018, with additional milkweed seeds planted in 2019. 
• For the first time in 2018, the team participated in Oswego County's Conservation Field Day, hosting an activity called "Wildlife at the Nuclear Plant." With over 300 5th graders in attendance, students learned to connect local animals to interesting facts about their behaviors, habitats and needs.
• For 16 years, the team has participated in the Oswego County Envirothon, a 30+ year old hands-on competition for local high school students. Working in teams, students' knowledge is assessed in the areas of current environmental issues, soils, wildlife, forestry and aquatics. First-place students receive scholarships, with many participants going on to work in environmental fields. 
• The team is committed to promoting environmental awareness for students and supports the Plant-A-Tree Project. Annually, over 4,000 K-5th graders and 210 teachers receive Norway spruce tree seedlings to plant. During this activity, students learn how trees grow, their importance for wildlife and their impact on the environment.
• Working in collaboration with CNY Wildfowler and local Cub Scouts, 10 bluebird and six wood duck nest boxes were installed in an effort to provide nesting opportunities for birds during their summer breeding season.
• Osprey and bald eagles are frequently seen hunting and nesting nearby Lake Ontario. In order to increase breeding opportunities for these local raptor species, the team has installed a nesting platform in this area.