BARDON HILL QUARRY ACHIEVES BIODIVERSITY
AWARD
Aggregate Industries has been awarded The
Wildlife Trusts’ Biodiversity Benchmark in recognition of its
ongoing commitment to improving biodiversity at Bardon Hill
Quarry.
Stephanie Hilborne, Chief Executive of the
Wildlife Trusts, presented the Benchmark to Aggregate Industries’
CEO Bill Bolsover at the leading building and construction material
supplier’s Bardon Hall offices in Markfield on 23 May
2008.
The pioneering Biodiversity Benchmark is a
rigorously audited certification, which 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.
A key part in Aggregate Industries achieving
the award for is its ongoing commitment to creating and improving
wildlife habitats at the quarry site. This includes working
closely with local biodiversity partners, such as Natural England
to monitor and enhance the Site of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI) on Bardon Hill; BTCV, who help to care for the area; and the
Leicester & Rutland Wildlife Trust, who wrote the company’s
biodiversity management plan.
Bill Bolsover, CEO of Aggregate Industries,
said: “Since applying to start the Benchmark process in early 2007
we have worked extremely hard with our partners, auditing a number
of our processes and procedures in respect to protecting and
enhancing biodiversity at Bardon Hill Quarry.”
“Clearly we are delighted to have achieved
this accreditation, however, we are committed to not just stopping
here. Our aim now is to continue the good work already done
and build on this so that we can constantly improve the way we
manage our landholdings in the future, both at this site and at our
other quarries across the UK.”
“The most significant works at the quarry site
to date has been to replace the conifers on Bardon’s SSSI with UK
provenanced, broad-leafed species such as oak, ash and holly.
With so many rare species in the National Forest, and more
specifically in the Charnwood area, we have an opportunity to
provide some of the habitats to encourage these species to
establish themselves at Bardon.”
Stephanie Hilborne, Chief Executive of The
Wildlife Trusts’, commented: “There is increasing awareness amongst
the business community of the need to develop more sustainable
business operations and I am delighted that Aggregate Industries is
at the forefront of organisations who have achieved the
Biodiversity Benchmark.
“Bardon Hill is a wonderful site for wildlife
but in a manmade environment such as this, the richness of flora
and fauna does not happen by accident. Aggregate Industries,
together with all their partners and volunteer supporters,
have worked incredibly hard to achieve The Wildlife Trusts’
Biodiversity Benchmark.
“Every organisation that owns or uses land can
help protect and restore our native wildlife by managing their land
with the environment in mind and I hope that this example will
encourage many more organisations to meet the challenge of the
Biodiversity Benchmark.”
Stephanie and Bill were joined at the
prestigious ceremony by District Councillors Ted Purver, Adoline
Smith and Michael White, along with representatives from Natural
England, BTCV, the Leicester & Rutland Wildlife Trust, and
those within Aggregate Industries that have been instrumental in
helping the company achieve the Benchmark.