W.A.I.T.

The W.A.I.T. program encourages corporate landowners to integrate wildlife habitat needs into their land management decisions. Corporate participants in the W.A.I.T. program recognize cost savings through reduced land management costs such as landscaping maintenance; enhanced environmental awareness of associates; new partnerships with community groups including schools, civic organizations, and conservation groups; positive environmental impact through habitat creation, preservation, and stewardship; and enhanced reputation among the community as a responsible environmental steward.

Fujifilm's W.A.I.T. application noted the company's accomplishments and laid out the plans for future environmental educational and conservation activities. Our accomplishments include the completion of The Palmetto Walk (the nature trail), presentation of environmental education materials in our company's cafeterias (site-wide), the planting of over 2,700 trees, shrubs, or ornamental plants, and the planting of over 1,400 holly bushes to serve as an evergreen screen, creating a natural boundary for the Fujifilm complex rather than a glaring chain-link fence. The future plans for our W.A.I.T. program include activities such as photography field trips, planting crimson clover and tropical corn for deer, putting up hawk perches, installing purple martin and bat houses, and maintaining the bluebird houses.

The Boy Scouts are one of Fujifilm's community partners, and they have visited the complex to install bluebird houses along the Palmetto Walk, plant a butterfly garden, and set out mineral licks. Scout leaders discuss the importance of environmental stewardship and wildlife habitat conservation using educational materials provided by Fujifilm.

In addition to working with the Boy Scouts, we host a JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics, and Sportsmanship) Environmental Day each year where over one hundred children between the ages of 8 and 15 years old come to the nature trail for fun activities and a cookout. Fujifilm works with the National Wild Turkey Federation to conduct this event, and the participants enjoy honing their archery and air rifle skills, and learning about hunter ethics as well as the effectiveness of camouflage.

The United States Forest Service sponsors a wildlife food plot, and representatives help the children re-plant it each year. Deer and turkey have visited the food plot, and even come up to the building to get a closer look at what's going on at Fujifilm!

Fujifilm South Carolina's president recognizes the Associates who work each year to organize and complete the various activities necessary for the company to maintain its W.A.I.T. certification. "One of Fujifilm's key focus areas is the protection and conservation of our precious natural resources," the president said. "With our Associates leading our W.A.I.T. activities, Fujifilm South Carolina will continue to meet and exceed our customers' demands while maintaining our focus on protecting and enhancing environmental quality."