Belle

About the Program
Occidental Petroleum Corporation operates in Belle, West Virginia. The facility occurs on a 23-acre site located 15 miles southeast of Charleston, West Virginia. The Belle facility includes forests, grasslands and riparian wetlands, all adjacent to the Kanawha River Watershed. These areas support a variety of wildlife species and team has several avian and pollinator species projects in place. The Belle facility strives to maintain healthy habitats for both wildlife and people.

Practices and Impacts

• Since 2005, the team has maintained nearly 15 acres of grassland on-site. Comprised of native species, the area is home to a variety of avian and pollinator species.
• On-site is a well-established forest with tree species over 70 years old. Recently, the team added an additional 2.35 hectares of meadowlands to the managed area.
• Next to forested and grassland areas, the team manages a riparian habitat project. The 2.35-acre of wetland are managed for invasive species and erosion, contributing the greater health of the Kanawha River Watershed.
• In 2022, 11 bluebird nest boxes were installed throughout the property. Five successful clutches of bluebirds were raised in 2023.
• The team also installed three wood duck nest boxes last year. During the first breeding season, no wood ducks were observed.
• Four purple martin houses were installed and monitored in 2023.
• A single nesting house was set up for American kestrel. The species have been observed in the area.
• With the addition of pollinator beds, the team has begun monitoring pollinator species. Monarch sightings are reported to Monarch Watch and Journey North.
• In attempt to limit invasive plant species on-site, the team has established an Invasive Plant Species Early Detection and Rapid Response Procedure. Through regular monitoring of sites, the team aims to remove the invasive species within one week of detection.