Cemex UK encourages wildlife with conservation drive

Cement production, quarrying and batching concrete do not seem likely friends with nature. However, Cemex UK has announced that in August 2015 it has created 660 hectares of conservation habitat to encourage wildlife on its land.

The company launched a Biodiversity Strategy in partnership with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in 2010 and made a commitment to create 100 hectares a year to give nature a home. This target has been well exceeded with 660 hectares produced in 5 years and has resulted in some rare and endangered species, as well as the more common species, making their homes on Cemex land.

The Small Blue butterfly has started to flourish with five new colonies established at Southam and Rugby cement sites. The fast-declining Turtle Dove which has decreased by 95% since 1970 in the UK, is being given a chance through land around three of Cemex’s quarries being seeded with a special flower mix to provide the bird with its ideal food.

But it’s not only rare species but ones that are thought of as everyday such as the ‘cockney’ House Sparrow. Colleagues at sites throughout London have been involved in putting up special feeding boxes, sowing wildflowers for food and monitoring the population around them. Surprisingly, House Sparrows too are on the decline with almost 70% decrease in the last 20 years.

On a larger scale, quarry restoration gives an opportunity to deliver significant priority habitats. For example, Rugeley Quarry close to Cannock Chase in the Midlands is gradually being restored after quarrying sand and gravel that has been used in local construction projects. Working with the RSPB, the land will deliver substantial heathland mosaic habitat and a wonderful area for the community to see nature at home.

Adapted from press release by Joseph Green

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/02092015/cemex-encourages-wildlife-conservation-drive-476/