Over the past 10 years, employees at the Menasha Paper Mill have helped clean the nest while watching to make sure the baby falcons are safe and don’t get in harm’s way.

“The falcons illustrate our commitment to sustainability and the environment,” said Joe Geiger, environmental manager, Midwest Region. “Some volunteers help us clean the nesting box in late fall, and others help to promote the message about the falcons. It has become an important event, and people really care about them.”

The Essity paper mill partners with the Wisconsin Peregrine Falcon Recovery Project, which ensures the survival of peregrine falcons in the Midwest and Canadian Great Lakes region through scientific research, public education and field monitoring. Once the eggs hatch, Greg Septon, founder of the Recovery Project, bands the baby falcons as part of a larger conservation effort.

The annual event is closely watched and enjoyed by Menasha employees—approximately 900 in the Fox Cities—who track the nesting season through a “falcon cam,” which was installed in 2017 and shares footage of each eyas (baby falcon) as they hatch and grow. In total, 20 eyas have hatched and been named since the falcon cam was installed. This year, dad “Bucky,” born at the WE Energies Port Washington Generating Station falcon box in 2013, kept watch over the eggs with the unbanded mom.

Peregrine falcons were considered endangered in the early 1970s but were taken off the endangered list in 1999. Typically, a female falcon produces up to four eggs in late March or early April. They hatch about 30 days later.

Falcon conservation is just one way the Essity Menasha Paper Mill shows their commitment to sustainability. Tissue products are made from 100% recycled fiber. Efforts are made to reduce water use, improve wastewater treatment quality, reduce landfill waste and conserve energy