Binnegar Quarry commended for MPA’s Quarries and Nature 2019 Cooper-Heyman Cup for Outstanding Restoration
Representatives from Raymond Brown Quarry Products attended the Mineral Products Association (MPA)’s ‘Quarries & Nature 2019’ Event and Restoration & Biodiversity Awards, presented by BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today presenter, Sybil Ruscoe, on Wednesday 23rd October at The Royal Society, London.
The Mineral Products industry is uniquely placed to deliver biodiversity net gain, with a track record of leaving wildlife in a better state than before development and the event attracted a capacity audience of over 70 leading environmental and conservation organisations and industry operators to celebrate the industry’s continuing contribution to nature conservation. It also explored how the industry can do even more to deliver net gain and showcased some of the best examples of quarry restoration and wildlife conservation anywhere in Europe.
Best practice was shared through the MPA Restoration Awards, now in their 49th year, and the MPA Biodiversity Awards in association with Natural England, and were presented by Dr Tony Juniper CBE, Chair Natural England, Dr Carol Williams, Director of Conservation, Bat Conservation Trust, Simon Marsh MBE, Head of Nature Protection at RSPB and Dr Nick White Principal Advisor, Net Gain, Natural England.
Raymond Brown Quarry Products’ Binnegar Quarry in Wareham was commended for the Cooper-Heyman Cup for outstanding restoration this year, a film showcasing all the fantastic entrants can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D03xA4SQKvY
Rob Westell, Estates and Planning Director commented: ‘The work to restore part of Binnegar Quarry to a rich mosaic of heathland, interspersed with permanent and ephemeral ponds and scrapes has provided a home for many rare and protected species. Back in 2016, we translocated a protected species of plant, pennyroyal (part of the mint family) from a working phase to this area and it is now thriving. Work is ongoing to nurture the pennyroyal and various species of heather which will eventually be an extension to the adjacent Site of Special Scientific Interest.”
MPA’s Chief Executive, Nigel Jackson said: “By creating new habitats during quarry restoration, mineral products companies are uniquely placed to increase biodiversity and this year’s submissions and winners of our prestigious awards once again enrich and extend the legacy the industry has built over the decades. The mineral products industry is a pioneer in the field of nature conservation and is unrivalled by any other UK industry. Our achievements are not fully recognised by Government who consistently fail to appreciate how this industry can help them convert their aspirations for the natural environment into leadership and action on the ground. I hope that this year’s Quarries & Nature event triggers wider recognition and a new conversation with Defra in particular. We are very much part of the solution to the UK’s biodiversity challenges and are ready to play an even bigger role working with key stakeholders to protect and enhance UK biodiversity.”
