April 2011
Bardon Aggregates has been recognised for its environmental hard work in maintaining and improving the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI's) in the East Midlands.
Dr Tom Moat, East Midlands Area Manager, sent Bardon Aggregates a certificate of recognition to acknowledge its contribution in delivering the Government's 95% target to get England's SSSIs into favourable or recovering condition.
Natural England categorises SSSI's in two areas, geological and biological. Both Bardon's Croft and Bardon Hill sites have both categories and have been working with not only Natural England, but with the Leicester & Rutland Wildlife Trust to improve the management practices on those sites.
Delia Shannon, Biodiversity Manager for the company said "It was a lovely surprise to receive this recognition. Our staff work hard to manage our landholdings in an ecologically sympathetic manner and to receive this will help us to keep the momentum going."
Bardon Hill, in North West Leicestershire, has more than 70 hectares designated across the site. The biological area was felled of all coniferous trees in 2003 to return it to heathland and acid-grassland; much of which is now grazed by Bardon's flock of hebridean sheep. The public footpath through the SSSI leads to the highest point in Leicestershire from which panoramic views across the north west of the county can be seen.
Croft, on the south side of Leicester, has a further 37 hectares designated. The two hectare designation on the hill provides fine displays of wild thyme and harebells. The SSSI is kept in favourable condition through the implementation of the biodiversity management plan and a wide variety of moths and butterflies use the habitat.