The Illinois Refining Division (IRD) is a proud sponsor of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Governor’s Environmental Corps (GEC). The Environmental Department at IRD hosted a Field Day for approximately 20 interns at their Neil Pit Wildlife Habitat.  

Ashley Tingley, environmental supervisor at IRD, welcomed the interns and discussed the importance of partnership in being good stewards of our environment. Elizabeth Kaufman from the Pollinator Partnership (P2), a non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to the health, protection and conservation of all pollinating animals, led the group in building bee houses.
 
P2 also presented Marathon Petroleum with the Monarch Sustainer of the Year Award, which recognizes a United States business that has shown exceptional leadership and action in providing habitat and awareness for monarch butterflies along their migratory corridors. Thanks to the IRD employees, IEPA staff and interns, MPC was able to increase and enhance nectar and milkweed plants within the migratory pathways for monarchs, as well as educate others about their importance.
 
Following lunch, the GEC’s interns returned to IRD for a presentation and bus tour on the refining process.