Biodiversity, habitats and site restoration
We implement biodiversity management plans for all active extraction sites and work to protect, restore and enhance biodiversity habitats and species on and around our sites. We develop rehabilitation/restoration/reclamation plans that take into account the needs and expectations of our stakeholders and, where feasible and relevant, fosters wildlife habitat creation and contributes to the conservation of species.
Across our landholdings we also create wetlands, build dry stone walls, plant trees and provide natural landscapes and excellent habitats for plants and animals to thrive.
We have ten extraction sites certified to The Wildlife Trust’s Biodiversity Benchmark, we will increase the number of sites certified and continue to work with partners on Living Landscape projects in the South Mendips in Somerset and the Charnwood Forest in Leicestershire.
Our positive contribution to ecosystems is measured and monitored using a Biodiversity Indicator Reporting System (BIRS). The BIRS methodology requires annual surveys of site habitats and generates a numerical biodiversity score per site, which, over time, we expect each site’s score to increase as restoration takes place to create an enhanced landscape.
