Tarmac and TCV conserving nature together
New milestone reached as company establishes five-year partnership with The Conservation Volunteers
TARMAC’s commitment to environmental education has reached a new milestone with the establishment of a five-year partnership with The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) – a collaboration gives local people the opportunity to connect with nature and learn about the environment by getting hands on experience working on some of the company’s conservation projects.
TCV’s own strategy focuses on connecting people with green spaces by delivering impactful projects, empowering communities, and engaging diverse communities to create lasting benefits for both people and nature. By supporting these efforts, Tarmac say they are proud to play an active role in fostering community-led conservation initiatives.
The Conservation Volunteers was first established in 1959 by Brigadier Armstrong, who was appointed by Council for Nature, a group of natural history organizations. Originally named the Conservation Corps, its aim is to encourage local volunteers to support conservation efforts. In its earlier years, the involvement of figures such as HRH Duke of Edinburgh, who served as patron, and Sir David Attenborough, who was vice-president, played a key role in boosting its visibility and influence.
By the 1980s, TCV had evolved into an independent organization, expanding its activities to include education through the creation of training courses for volunteers. It eventually became one of the largest providers of environmental training for unemployed people in the sector.
Tarmac’s partnership with TCV began last year, creating new opportunities for volunteers to get involved in managing and enhancing the restored habitats at Mountsorrel Quarry. In 2024, the company organized 10 days of hands-on working parties.
This year, Tarmac have already completed 14 days of conservation activities focusing on the areas around Broad Hill and Kinchley Lane. For example, TCV helped in removing old tree guards that were no longer needed and tackling invasive species like buddleia, to help preserve and enhance the grass heathland.
Sharing his thoughts on the collaboration, Clive Forty, senior project officer at TCV, said: ‘We are really pleased to form a working partnership with Tarmac at Mountsorrel Quarry, helping maintain and establish the biodiversity around the site. Our practical conservation volunteers are working to help control scrub encroachment on Broad Hill. We aim to repurpose all material cuttings into dead hedge habitat corridors, further increasing habitat diversity.’
By focusing on practical conservation tasks, the partnership is addressing immediate ecological needs but also ensuring that the restored areas of the quarry remain vibrant and beneficial for all species that depend on them. The end of March 2025 saw the completion of the second year of TCV’s restoration efforts at the quarry.
Aaron Laycock, manager of Mountsorrel Quarry, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership: ‘It is great to have The Conservation Volunteers supporting us at Mountsorrel Quarry. We love to see their passion and commitment helping us manage our precious restored habitats,’ he said.
The partnership with TCV is one of 40 collaborations Tarmac have nationwide with a wide range of conservation organizations.
