More than 550 native trees and shrubs were planted in June 2007 as part of a habitat improvement project at Verizon’s Basking Ridge corporate campus in Somerset County.  The project, a partnership involving the New Jersey Audubon Society (NJAS), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Verizon is aimed at cultivating the natural greenscape and wildlife communities on about 25 acres of grassland, riparian and wetland habitats on the Verizon site.

Last year, Verizon forged a partnership with the New Jersey Audubon Society (www.njaudubon.org) and the USFWS to enhance 25 acres of the property, which serves as the buffer to the Passaic River.  As of last month, over 60 specifies of wildlife have been observed utilizing the improved habitat at the site.  Some of the species were never before recorded on the property.

It’s exciting to see more and more native plants and wildlife return to this environmental treasure chest, “said Dennis Bone, president of Verizon New Jersey.  “Our goal is to be a productive and vibrant partner in the community.  This means working to benefit the local economy, and being an active partner in improving the region’s environment as well.