Industry biodiversity first for Tarmac
TARMAC have become the first UK quarrying company to have site-specific Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) in place at all of their active quarries. The company has created individual plans for its 120 sites as part of a commitment to ensure that biodiversity is embedded into the operation of each site.
Tarmac employed independent ecologists in each area to survey the land and establish BAP frameworks for individual quarries. The BAPs detail a range of site-specific measures to monitor, manage and, where possible, enhance biodiversity over the life cycle of each quarry and beyond.
‘There are significant environmental and business benefits to this approach,’ said Chris Dobbs, director of estates and geology at Tarmac. ‘As well as the primary purpose of helping us to protect wildlife and habitats, the BAP process for each quarry has helped us to support existing community engagement activities, building greater trust, understanding and confidence in our operations with local and regional stakeholders.’
Tarmac have already had significant success with a number of their BAPs, notably the regional plan they introduced for seven sites in Northumberland. This pioneering work, which surveyed over 350ha of land, has helped to put in place robust measures to protect species such as the red squirrel, linnet and skylark, as well as enhancing important habitats such as whin grassland and wet woodland.
‘Our site BAPs often link in with and support national and regional BAP targets, for example, within areas such as national parks,’ added Mr Dobbs. ‘They provide us with a fantastic opportunity to make a real contribution towards conservation targets and demonstrate the positive role that quarries can play in supporting biodiversity.’
Tarmac employed independent ecologists in each area to survey the land and establish BAP frameworks for individual quarries. The BAPs detail a range of site-specific measures to monitor, manage and, where possible, enhance biodiversity over the life cycle of each quarry and beyond.
‘There are significant environmental and business benefits to this approach,’ said Chris Dobbs, director of estates and geology at Tarmac. ‘As well as the primary purpose of helping us to protect wildlife and habitats, the BAP process for each quarry has helped us to support existing community engagement activities, building greater trust, understanding and confidence in our operations with local and regional stakeholders.’
Tarmac have already had significant success with a number of their BAPs, notably the regional plan they introduced for seven sites in Northumberland. This pioneering work, which surveyed over 350ha of land, has helped to put in place robust measures to protect species such as the red squirrel, linnet and skylark, as well as enhancing important habitats such as whin grassland and wet woodland.
‘Our site BAPs often link in with and support national and regional BAP targets, for example, within areas such as national parks,’ added Mr Dobbs. ‘They provide us with a fantastic opportunity to make a real contribution towards conservation targets and demonstrate the positive role that quarries can play in supporting biodiversity.’
