By Lynette Cox
Bernheim Forest Partners with Arvato Distribution Center in Support of Biodiversity.
Arvato sponsors the Big Prairie at Bernheim.
Bernheim Forest and Arboretum is pleased to announce a new partnership with Arvato, a logistics and supply chain management provider with more than 100 locations in 17 countries, with 5 distribution centers within the greater Louisville, Kentucky area.
Inspired by Arvato’s installation of a 1,200-square-foot native garden in 2023, the partnership focuses on supporting the Big Prairie at Bernheim. Since 1996, the Big Prairie, a 36-acre native meadow, has welcomed 300,000 annual visitors to Bernheim and served as habitat for wildlife, supporting pollinators and other insects, birds, mammals, and reptiles.
“We are proud to partner with our neighbor, Bernheim Forest, on the continued preservation of the Big Prairie. This partnership underscores our commitment to environmental sustainability and our belief in the power of community collaboration,” explained Andreas Podwojewski, Managing Director of Arvato USA.
“With help from supporters, like Arvato, we can continue to improve and maintain this beautiful landscape highlighting native wildflowers where so many pollinator species and animals thrive,” added Dr. Mark K. Wourms, President and CEO at Bernheim Forest and Arboretum. Supported efforts in the Big Prairie will improve habitat, help increase resilience in wildlife populations, and spark curiosity in our visitors.”
Prairie habitats play a crucial role in supporting unique plants and insects that rely on native grasslands for survival. As grasslands across the country are increasingly lost to development, invasive species, and forest encroachment, the preservation of prairies becomes ever more important. One species counting on the Big Prairie is the monarch butterfly. A 2023-24 study by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) found that monarch populations are declining at an alarming rate. Featuring a diverse array of milkweed species and essential nectar plants, the Big Prairie provides a vital habitat for monarch butterflies throughout their life cycle.
“Over the next few years of intensive management, we will prioritize removal of woody and invasive species, conduct prescribed burns, and assess all six sections of the prairie for biodiversity improvements,” explained Renee Frith, Director of Horticulture and Sustainable Landscapes at Bernheim.
“When I first learned about the native garden at Arvato’s distribution center, I felt a sense of hope,” stated Lindsay Duncan, Corporate Partners Manager at Bernheim. “At Bernheim, we are excited to deepen partnerships with neighboring corporations to benefit the environment, and we hope Arvato’s story inspires more companies to join us in protecting and restoring biodiversity. Together, business, and ecological stewardship can thrive hand in hand!”
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About Arvato
Arvato is an innovative and leading international service provider in the field of supply chain management and e-commerce. By combining deep industry expertise with the right technologies, Arvato develops innovative supply chain management and e-commerce solutions for its clients. Arvato focuses on Consumer Products, Tech, Healthcare, Automotive and Publisher industries and has adapted its organizational structure to the needs of its global clients and their industries. More than 17,000 employees work together at over 100 locations on one platform and with the latest technologies. This enables Arvato to provide its clients with the best possible support for their growth objectives.
For more information, please visit www.arvato.com or follow Arvato on social media: LinkedIn (@arvato) and Instagram (@lifeatarvato).
Arvato is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA. With 85,000 employees, Bertelsmann operates as a media, services, and education company worldwide.
