Tarmac celebrate multiple wins at MPA Quarries & Nature Awards
Company wins awards for restoration and innovation, among other accolades and commendations
TARMAC were the proud recipients of a series of award wins at the prestigious Mineral Products Association (MPA) Quarries & Nature 2025 Awards. The event recognizes excellence in habitat creation and biodiversity enhancement, showcasing how sustainable mineral extraction can leave a lasting positive legacy for nature.
Tarmac’s commitment to high-quality restoration and innovative environmental practices was recognized across multiple categories. The organization won the Restoration Award for the transformation of Langford Quarry, a project delivered in partnership with the RSPB, while its collaboration with Cranfield University earned the Innovation Award. In addition, the planned restoration of Wivenhoe Quarry and the landscape-scale restoration work at Dry Rigg and Arcow quarries were both highly commended.
Adding to these successes, David Park, former national restoration manager at Tarmac, was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr Park retired in 2021 after 39 years with the company, during which he played a pivotal role in shaping and delivering industry-leading restoration projects.
A highlight of the evening was the recognition of Langford Quarry, near Newark, which won the Restoration Award for its long-term transformation into a thriving wetland habitat. This success is the result of a decades-long partnership between Tarmac and the RSPB, which began in 1988 with a joint planning application. Over the years, the phased restoration of Langford Quarry has created 120ha of wetland nature reserve, now known as RSPB Langford Lowfields.
Situated on the banks of the river Trent, Langford Lowfields is a flagship example of sustainable quarry restoration, featuring a range of wetland habitats including reed beds, species-rich hay meadows, wet woodland, and scrub. Today, it is the largest reed bed in the East Midlands and a crucial inland refuge for rare and declining species impacted by climate change and sea level rise.
The project is part of a broader vision to restore and connect wetland habitats across the Trent Valley, with neighbouring Tarmac sites, such as Besthorpe Quarry, also being restored to wetlands in partnership with conservation organizations. The transfer of Langford Lowfields to the RSPB in early 2023 ensures its long-term management and protection as a haven for wildlife.
Kevin Mawby, Langford site manager at Tarmac, and RSPB’s Joe Harris and previous Langford site manager Michael Copleston, now head of England at the RSPB, have worked for many years to bring the site restoration to fruition.
Jenny Oldroyd, restoration manager at Tarmac, said: ‘At Tarmac, we are committed to delivering quarry restoration that goes beyond compliance, creating landscapes that benefit biodiversity, local communities, and future generations. The recognition of Langford Quarry, in particular, highlights how long-term vision and collaboration can achieve outstanding results.’
Michael Copleston added: ‘I spend a lot of time telling people how wonderful Langford Lowfields is and the honour of winning the Cooper-Heyman Cup is excellent confirmation that the reserve really is a very special place. The award recognizes the massive amount of hard work that the Tarmac and RSPB teams have put into the project over the years. Tarmac and the RSPB have won the cup, but the real winner is the wetland wildlife that calls Langford Lowfields home.’
In addition to the Langford Quarry success, Tarmac were also recognized for their collaboration with Cranfield University, winning the Innovation Award. This project highlights Tarmac’s commitment to exploring new ways to enhance biodiversity, support climate resilience, and deliver sustainable restoration outcomes.
Tarmac also received high commendations for two additional projects: the planned restoration of Wivenhoe Quarry and the landscape-scale restoration work at Dry Rigg and Arcow quarries, which are helping to create interconnected natural habitats.
Enrique Moran Montero, national restoration manager at Tarmac, said: ‘These awards are testament to the dedication and expertise of our restoration teams, as well as the strength of our partnerships with conservation organizations and academic institutions.’
Professor Dame Helen Atkinson, deputy vice-chancellor of Cranfield University’s School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, added: ‘It was fantastic to see Tarmac and Cranfield University win the Innovation Category at the prestigious MPA Quarries and Nature 2025 awards for ‘Measuring and Integrating Biodiversity Net Gain and Carbon Sequestration at Maxey Quarry and Wivenhoe Quarry’.
‘All the entries were truly inspiring and the event was an exemplar of how industry can work in partnership with other organizations, such as the RSPB, local councils, volunteers, and Wildlife Trusts, to achieved incredible biodiversity and recreational benefits.
‘Over the last 12 years Tarmac have participated in a successful partnership with Cranfield University where MSc students have undertaken their group research projects based around real-life topics based at Tarmac sites.
‘It was also wonderful to see Enrique Moran Montero continue to excel. Enrique is Tarmac’s national restoration manager and a Cranfield alumnus. He won the Cranfield Excellence in Achievement Award in 2024 for recent environment and agrifood graduates.’
