The mineral products industry is well placed to help halt biodiversity decline. That was the message from the chief executive of Natural England, Dr Helen Phillips
The mineral products industry is well placed to help halt biodiversity decline.
That was the message from the chief executive of Natural England, Dr Helen Phillips, and a host of other key stakeholders to members of the Mineral Products Association (MPA) at the association’s awards event held in London.
It attracted a wide range of NGO and environmental organisations and charted the way forward and shared best practice through the long-running MPA Restoration Awards and the inaugural Natural England Biodiversity Awards.
According to the MPA, UK biodiversity loss is a growing concern and the mineral products industry has significant potential to contribute to achieving the government’s biodiversity targets.
MPA members already have a long legacy of high quality restoration and biodiversity enhancement.
Around 90% of the mineral products industry is represented by MPA members, and the land they manage or control land is equivalent to a small national park and this includes at least two National Nature Reserves; 22 local nature reserves; 15 field study and education centres and 13 nature trails. The RSPB ( Royal Society for the protection of Birds) estimates that the industry could, on its own, deliver UK biodiversity targets for nine out of 11 priority habitats.
At the event, seven MPA Restoration Award winners were announced, including the winner of the top prize, the Cooper-Heyman Cup, and the runner-up. On the biodiversity side, there were 15 winners, which included the winner of the top Natural England Biodiversity Award 2011 (in association with the MPA), the runner-up and four smaller members who were presented with the MPA Award for SME Commitment to Biodiversity and Nature Conservation ( Brett Group, Marshalls, Sibelco UK and Smiths Bletchington).
A special MPA Award for Personal Commitment to Biodiversity and Nature Conservation was also awarded posthumously to Brian Butterfield, who was associated with Lafarge Aggregates’ Panshanger quarry near Hertford for 48 years.
The Cooper-Heyman Cup winner was Tarmac’s Bellmoor and Lound Estate in County Nottinghamshire, a major exercise in the recycling of countryside.
The winner of the Natural England Biodiversity Award was Cemex UK’s Rugeley Quarry, a former sand and gravel quarry which will, by 2032, have added over 200 hectares of priority lowland heathland habitat.
The full results can be found at:
