Hitachi Global Air Power Launches Prairie Restoration Project at US Headquarters
Hitachi Global Air Power U.S. is restoring a significant portion of its Michigan City, Indiana headquarters’ campus from traditional turf grass to native prairie habitat.
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| Hitachi Global Air Power US is restoring a significant portion of its Michigan City, Indiana headquarters’ campus from traditional turf grass to native prairie habitat. |
The restoration project will span five years and transform nearly seven acres of lawn into a prairie ecosystem. The largest transformation will occur in year one, when 85% of the turf will be converted. The remaining 15% will be phased in over the remaining years.
Areas where turf must remain for functional reasons will be replanted with low-maintenance grass species that require no mowing or irrigation.
In addition to reducing approximately 94% of emissions associated with lawn maintenance, the project is expected to dramatically lower water usage across the property, eliminating the need for irrigation in restored areas.
"This project aligns with all three of Hitachi Global Air Power's core environmental goals: decarbonization by reducing emissions from mowing, resource efficiency by reducing water consumption for irrigation, and harmonization with nature through habitat restoration for pollinators and improved water absorption with deeply rooted native species,” said Katrina Saucier, director of sustainability for Hitachi Global Air Power. “This initiative demonstrates how Hitachi Global Air Power is embracing an innovative approach, using nature as a roadmap for sustainability."
This project is made possible through a partnership between Hitachi Global Air Power and the LaPorte County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), with partial funding provided through the Clean Water Indiana grant program. The grant covers professional expertise from a county conservationist, assistance with managing invasive species, and 75% of the native plant and seed costs. Hitachi Global Air Power will fund all remaining project expenses.
"The pollinator habitat establishment project at Hitachi Global Air Power in Michigan City is exactly the kind of bold environmental leadership we need right now,” said Paul Vicari, County Conservationist & Stormwater Management Department Director at LaPorte County SWCD. “What makes this initiative so exciting is how it brings together the sound science of ecological restoration with real-world impact. By embracing native plants at this scale, Hitachi Global Air Power is showing how businesses can make a genuine difference - not just in theory, but in creating lasting positive change for our local ecosystems and communities."
Work on the project is set to begin this month with application of herbicide to remove the existing turf, making way for native seeding.
Over the summer, project areas will be closely monitored to prevent the spread of invasive species. A second seeding, along with the introduction of native trees to further enhance biodiversity, is scheduled for 2026. The project is expected to reach full sustainability and maturity by 2030.
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