Spartanburg Automaker Oshkosh Defense Integrates Wildlife Preserve into Manufacturing Facility

Spartanburg Manufacturer Adds Wildlife Preserve to Its Facility

Spartanburg-based automaker, Oshkosh Defense LLC, recently announced plans to integrate a wildlife preserve into its manufacturing facility. Known for their commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, Oshkosh Defense has made this initiative to further bolster their green efforts and support local biodiversity.

Turning Greenspaces into Thriving Habitats

Oshkosh Defense plans to transform the greenspace at their Spartanburg assembly facility, where it builds Next Generation Delivery Vehicles for the United States Postal Service, into a flourishing ecosystem. Trent McJunkin, facilities and maintenance manager at Oshkosh Defense Spartanburg Assembly, commented on the initiative: “Our intent is to turn our greenspace at the facility into a thriving habitat for native wildlife, supporting biodiversity, and a healthy ecosystem. This effort not only helps wildlife flourish, but also increases efficiencies in groundskeeping, demonstrating that sustainability and operational effectiveness can go hand in hand.”

Partnerships for Creating a Wildlife Preserve

In its effort to create a natural ecosystem within its property, the automaker has teamed up with Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve, a not-for-profit organization and public garden based in Spartanburg. Hatcher Garden serves as a sanctuary for native plants and has extended its expertise to assist Oshkosh Defense in transforming their greenspace effectively.

Oshkosh Defense has also collaborated with the Wildlife and Industry Together program (WAIT), an initiative of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, to ensure that corporate land management decisions take into consideration the needs of local wildlife. Jay Keck, a habitat manager with the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, said that these initiatives would help maintain biodiversity by preventing habitat degradation.

Hope for Other Industrial Sites

Oshkosh Defense hopes that its initiative will spur other industrial sites to establish similar habitats. By incorporating native plants and nest boxes, the automaker intends to restore ecosystem function, support local biodiversity, and promote ecological health.

About Oshkosh Defense LLC

Oshkosh Defense is a leading player in the manufacture of tactical vehicles. Founded in 1917, the company specializes in designing and building a wide range of highly protected, light, medium, and heavy vehicles for a variety of global clients. In 2021, the company announced that it would be constructing mail delivery vehicles in a newly established Spartanburg plant, part of a $482 million contract for the U.S. Postal Service. As the USPS strives to modernize its delivery fleet, this investment is touted to be just the start, with billions more set to be spent in the coming years.