Volkswagen has now restored over 40 acres of bio-diverse wetland near its Chattanooga production plant through regular testing, monitoring and studies, according to the automaker.
When VW built the Chattanooga plant more than a decade ago, the company pledged to restore nearby wetlands to help protect local wildlife and preserve the natural environment.
Marking National Wildlife Day on Friday, the company said the Chattanooga site is home to 15 endangered animals, hundreds of species of wildlife including 167 species of birds, and it continues to grow. The total wetland spans over 88 acres.
"At the plant in Chattanooga, precautions are taken to help protect local wildlife, wetlands and surrounding land," said Kaye Fiorello, an environmental compliance specialist at Volkswagen, in a statement. "We take our commitment to the environment seriously. It's a special place to work."
According to VW, the area is restricted, which means there is no hunting or fishing allowed on site, and people come to see the protected environment throughout the year. The wetlands' water is tested regularly and regarded as some of the highest grade in the state of Tennessee, the company said.
Globally, the German automaker said it has made large-scale commitments to employ more sustainable practices, such as working to reduce the company's carbon footprint and bringing electric vehicles to market, including the ID.4 SUV world introduction later this month.
The company's first electric SUV will be built initially in Germany and then at VW's Chattanooga plant by 2022. The factory is undergoing an $800 million expansion to prepare for assembly of the battery-powered vehicle.
Earlier this week, VW unveiled plans to hire 150 more production employees in Chattanooga to meet demand for its existing vehicles and ready for the electric SUV. The company currently employs about 3,800 in the city.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.