Chairman of the Scottish Wildlife Trust Allan Bantick will join Minister for the Environment Stewart Stevenson to present Scotland’s first ever Biodiversity Benchmark awards.

Aggregate Industries will receive the prestigious award for their work protecting nature on Powmyre Quarry, on the Strathmore Estate at Glamis and Duntilland Quarry near Shotts in North Lanarkshire.

The award recognises that a company has reached a certain level protecting the biodiversity around them.

Mr. Bantick will be representing the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts- the umbrella body for the 47 Wildlife Trusts in the United Kingdom, at the event at Powmyre Quarry on Tuesday 13th September.

Scottish Wildlife Trust Chairman Allan Bantick said:

“It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Aggregate Industries on achieving The Wildlife Trusts' Biodiversity Benchmark award for their work at Powmyre and Duntilland.

“The Biodiversity Benchmark is the leading award for business that recognises and rewards continual biodiversity improvement. 

“Aggregate Industries have worked hard to protect the natural world in and around two important sites.

“It is important for all businesses to think at how they can protect and enhance the natural world – it makes good business sense and it is the responsible thing to do.  I hope others will follow Aggregate Industries' example.”

Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson said:

“I am delighted to present Scotland’s first Biodiversity Benchmark award to Aggregate Industries for their good work in encouraging wildlife to flourish in quarries through tree planting and wetland development. It is encouraging to see the contribution that one company can make to preserving the natural environment and I hope this provides an inspiration to others. 

“We all have a responsibility to protect our nation’s precious biodiversity and this award demonstrates that doing so can benefit business as well as the environment.  I hope this is the first of many awards made under the Wildlife Trusts’ scheme.”