Hitachi Global Air Power is launching a native plant restoration project at the company’s Michigan City headquarters.
The restoration project is slated to begin this month. It will convert a portion of the campus from traditional turf grass into a native prairie habitat. The project will span five years and transform nearly seven acres of lawn into a prairie ecosystem.
About 85% of the turf will be converted in the first year. The remaining 15% will be phased in over the following years. Areas that require turf for functional reasons will be replanted with grass species that require no mowing or irrigation.
The project will reduce about 94% of emissions associated with lawn maintenance. It will also lower water usage across the property – eliminating the need for irrigation in restored areas.
“This project aligns with all three of Hitachi Global Air Power's core environmental goals: decarbonization by reducing emissions from mowing, resource efficiency by reducing water consumption for irrigation and harmonization with nature through habitat restoration for pollinators and improved water absorption with deeply rooted native species,” said Katrina Saucier, Hitachi Global Air director of sustainability, in a press release.
The project is made possible by a partnership between Hitachi and the La Porte County Soil and Water Conservation District. The Clean Water Indiana grant program provided partial funding. The grant covers expertise from a county conservationist and assistance with managing invasive species. It will fund 75% of the native plant and seed costs. Hitachi will fund the remaining project expenses.
“The pollinator habitat establishment project at Hitachi Global Air Power in Michigan City is exactly the kind of bold environmental leadership we need right now,” Paul Vicari, La Porte County Soil and Water Conservation District conservationist and stormwater management department director, said.
Workers will begin by applying herbicide to remove the existing turf, making way for native seeding. Over the summer, they will monitor project areas to prevent the spread of invasive species. A second seeding – and the introduction of native trees – is scheduled for 2026. The project is expected to reach full sustainability by 2030.
“What makes this initiative so exciting is how it brings together the sound science of ecological restoration with real-world impact,” Vicari said. “By embracing native plants at this scale, Hitachi Global Air Power is showing how businesses can make a genuine difference – not just in theory, but in creating lasting positive change for our local ecosystems and communities.”
