Bardon Aggregates, part of Aggregate Industries, has been awarded the first Scottish Biodiversity Benchmark for sustained land management at its Duntilland and Powmyre quarries.
The construction company took up the challenge during International Year of Biodiversity, to seek The Wildlife Trusts Biodiversity Benchmark – a rigorously audited certification which allows businesses to demonstrate commitment to local wildlife. Both Bardon Aggregates sites gained the award for their continuing commitment to creating and improving wildlife habitats around the quarries.
Jonathan Hughes, Director of Conservation for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “The Wildlife Trusts’ Biodiversity Benchmark award helps companies assess their impact on the natural world and develop better ways of protecting biodiversity on their own holdings. I’m delighted that Bardon Aggregates has been awarded the Benchmark in Scotland for its Duntilland and Powmyre quarry sites.
“By taking part in the Benchmark award, Bardon Aggregates has not only improved biodiversity on two of its flagship sites, it is also blazing a trail for other companies in Scotland to follow.”
Duntilland Quarry, the 165 hectare hard rock extraction operation adjacent to the M8 in North Lanarkshire, has been managed with sensitivity to wildlife over the past decade. To achieve the Biodiversity Benchmark, staff and management have worked to an exacting Biodiversity Action Plan to ensure proper site management, allowing wildlife value to be improved for the long term. Quarry staff monitor and report on birds around the rock faces, noting behavioral changes.
Powmyre Quarry is located in Angus on the Strathmore estate at Glamis. This 97 hectare sand and gravel operation has only been open since 2007 and is providing habitats for UK Biodiversity Action Plan species such as the brown hare and enhancing key habitats like wet woodland.
Bruce Young, Quarry Manager at Powmyre, said: “Our site now has bird boxes which have been supported by our local school. Staff monitor and record birds and mammals on site – something which may not have happened had it not been for the Benchmark. Whilst attaining our Biodiversity Benchmark was hard work and time consuming, we feel the long term payback of enhancement across Powmyre Quarry, and the development of our relationship with our community and external partners, more than exceeds the initial investment of time.”
The pioneering Biodiversity Benchmark enables organisations across the country to assess the quality of their land management, improve their contribution to the environment and demonstrate their commitment to biodiversity through performance and partnership. Similar to other standards for management systems, the Biodiversity Benchmark is composed of a set of detailed requirements which an organisation must be able to demonstrate they can meet. Furthermore, it is the first truly recognised endorsement to acknowledge organisations who continually commit to biodiversity improvement.
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For more information, contact:
Anna Jester / Aruna Sharma
Haslimann Taylor PR
0121 355 3446
anna@htpr.com / aruna@htpr.com /
Notes to editor
Part of Aggregate Industries, Bardon Aggregates is a major supplier of primary, secondary and recycled construction aggregates and high quality asphalts, including special asphalts for a wide range of applications. www.bardon-aggregates.com
Aggregate Industries quarries, manufactures and supplies a wide range of materials to the construction industry. Through continued innovation and investment it has been certified The Responsible Source offering a diverse portfolio of sustainable solutions to complement its traditional product offering. Operating across the UK, Channel Islands and northern Europe, Aggregate Industries is a member of the Holcim Group.
www.aggregate-uk.com
www.bardon-aggregates.com
Biodiversity Benchmark is a certification issued by the Wildlife Trusts which encourages, recognises and rewards the continual improvement of landholdings for wildlife. 32 sites, managed by 12 organisations and covering an area of almost 4,000ha have been certified as managed to the highest standard for wildlife. Biodiversity Benchmark recognises an organisations management of specific landholdings and is not an endorsement of the wider activities of the organisation.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 36,000 members who care for wildlife and the environment. The Scottish Wildlife Trust seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 reserves Scotland-wide.