Fortescue’s Green Team

Fortescue Metals Group’s (Fortescue’s) Green Team initiative provides a unique volunteering opportunity for its workforce to participate in environmental monitoring activities in the Pilbara.

Fortescue, a WA Parks Foundation Founding Partner, is committed to safeguarding the environment for future generations. It is focused on protecting biodiversity, managing water resources responsibly, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and managing waste.

In managing potential environmental impacts, the company implements programs such as monitoring of significant flora, fauna and ecological communities.

The Green Team program was developed in 2018. Team members assist technical experts in the fields of botany or zoology, collecting data on native plants and animals to assist with environmental management.

Green Team Coordinator Todd Edwards said interest in the program had far exceeded expectations.

“Fortescue’s environmental monitoring program is pretty extensive across our three mine sites, port facility and integrated rail network.

“When we started the Green Team, I wasn’t sure we would have enough volunteers to cover our monitoring schedule. Now, our volunteer applications exceed the current opportunities available.

“As a result, we are looking to expand the program to include other field activities,” said Mr Edwards.

Green Team volunteer, Lou Gurnell, whose usual role is Exploration Team Safety Advisor, said the opportunity to get involved in flora and fauna monitoring activities without being an environmental professional had strengthened her understanding and awareness of environmental management in her own work area.

“Being part of the Green Team has really helped me appreciate the complex ecosystems we work in and to understand why effective environmental management is critical to minimise the impacts of our activities.” Ms Gurnell said.

 

Picture: Environment monitoring takes place near Fortescue’s Cloudbreak mine site.