Biodiversity
We are committed to supporting biodiversity in our data center properties and in the communities where we operate.
Preserving what matters
According to the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Risks Report, biodiversity loss is listed as the third most severe risk on a global scale over the next 10 years. We know that our operations and facilities have an impact on local habitats and we aim to preserve and restore more land than we impact.
We seek opportunities to protect and promote biodiversity across our operations and facilities. Our standard data center design dedicates most unbuilt outdoor spaces to restore native habitat and largely eliminates turf and exotic ornamental species. By the end of 2024, more than 50% of our owned data center campus footprint was planned, installed or preserved to intentionally support local, native, biodiverse habitats. That equals more than 4,000 acres.
Biodiversity project planning
Starting at early site diligence, qualified local native habitat experts perform an evaluation that is based on emerging biodiversity metrics. During site planning and construction, sensitive ecosystems are avoided as much as possible, and restoration and enhancement efforts are designed to complement the natural surroundings. Acquired properties that may have been degraded by previous uses are targeted for uplift and restoration, and areas disturbed by construction activities are integrated into each campus’s biodiversity plan.
Promoting ecosystem health and biodiversity through prescribed burns
Conducting prescribed burns at our data center locations can be an effective strategy for managing and reducing the risk of wildfires, while also promoting ecosystem health and biodiversity.
Campus Restoration
Before breaking ground at our Aiken campus, we partnered with the South Carolina State Forestry Commission to perform a prescribed burn over 400 acres. The project was a cost— and nature— effective way to protect sensitive soils and promote native plant species by reducing weed competition, recycling nutrients, building soil, controlling pests and reducing risk of wildfire.
Project spotlight
Prineville, Oregon campus
Beginning in 2010, our first restoration project targeted 200+ acres of arid, native Sagebrush Steppe landscape. It marked a significant deviation from typical turf-gravel industrial landscapes and included an immense cross-functional partnership.
Landscape architects, city officials, and engineering teams collaborated on an approach that:
Balances native plant establishment – with weed control and temporary irrigation water use efficiencies
Incorporates seeding across campus – and 170,000 native plant plugs along visible roadways and paths, providing both beauty and a diverse local seed bank
Partnering with local ranchers – to use sheep and goats to help control or eradicate invasive cheatgrass infestations
Supports 20 beehives – placed and managed by a local beekeeper
Community biodiversity projects
In addition to promoting biodiversity on Meta properties, we collaborate with local organizations to improve surrounding areas.
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Tennessee
In partnership with the Tennessee Environmental Council and Sumner County Schools, Meta provided support for the installation of 6,000 square feet of pollinator gardens in six schools near our Gallatin data center, offering students hands-on opportunities to learn about sustainable practices and environmental conservation.
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Mesa, Arizona
Near our Mesa data center, we partnered with the Arizona Sustainability Alliance, the City of Mesa, Valley Metro, local high school student Environmental Club volunteers and the Mayor and Councilmembers to plant several hundred native, low-water-use trees, plants and shrubs at the Superstition Springs Transit Center. This project helped bring awareness to the use and benefits of native plants and the value of biodiverse “pocket parks” to urban ecosystems.
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Fort Worth, Texas
Meta helped fund the Lotus Marsh Boardwalk at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge near our Fort Worth data center. The hiking trails, resident bison herd, prairie dog colony, marsh boardwalk and the Hardwicke Interpretive Center provide more than 63,000 visitors each year with the opportunity to experience nature in their community.
2025 Sustainability Report
Learn more about our progress as we work to achieve net zero emissions across our value chain and become water positive in 2030.
