Celebrating Earth Day: From Borrow Pit to Fishing Pond
Long before environmental stewardship was an industry imperative—even before the first observance of Earth Day!—Ames Construction adopted the principle of “Working in Harmony with Nature.” As we celebrate Earth Day on April 22 and Arbor Day on April 26, we look forward to making a difference for the environment and in our communities every day. We’re so proud of the work our people did to make Pine Grove Pond in Montana a reality:
Borrow pits often leave a scar on the land, but a pit that Ames Construction used for a project and then helped to reclaim has become a valuable community asset—and one of the best places in northwest Montana for kids to learn to fish.
Managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP), Pine Grove Pond exists because of a timely partnership between Ames and a local landowner, Robin Street. In 2010, Ames was in need of borrow material for a nearby road project. Mr. Street had a long-time vision of donating land to be developed into a community fishing pond. He reached out to Ames about material at the future pond site. The material met Ames’ needs, and Ames reciprocated by helping turn Mr. Street’s vision into a reality.
Ames Environmental Director Chris Ennes reviewed all permitting efforts for the pond, and once the material was excavated, Ames crews shaped the final pond. Ames Superintendent Jim Jarrett went above and beyond by importing giant boulders excavated from the nearby road project and strategically placing them around the pond for fishing perches. (The biggest of which was nicknamed “Jim’s Rock.”)
Mr. Street was terminally ill at the time he made the connection with Ames, but he lived long enough to see the project come to fruition. Today, the family fishing pond has become everything he envisioned:
- Annually, 2,000 grade-school children take field trips to the pond as part of the Hooked On Fishing program.
- FWP counts show that nearly 34,000 vehicles pass through the gates annually.
- Two Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant fishing piers have been added.
- Osprey, bald eagles, waterfowl, and whitetail deer are common sites.
Because of additional land donations, the site has grown from 10 to 24 acres, with about half of the site bordering the Whitefish River. As the valley sees more commercial and residential development, this public space will grow in value, all thanks to a generous landowner, the efforts of Ames team members, and numerous organizations and agencies that contributed to the project.
Ames Construction looks forward to making a difference for the environment and in our communities every day.
