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Biodiversity Plan Beginnings

Leading industrial minerals supplier, WBB MINERALS, has taken its first public steps towards producing a Biodiversity Action Plan covering all its operational sites in the UK.

At a launch event held in Kings Lynn in April, WBB MINERALS was joined by representatives from seven Wildlife Trusts who have worked with the company across the UK, representatives from the Biodiversity Unit at English Nature and the Materials and Engineering Unit at the DTI, as well as representatives from County, District and Parish Councils local to WBB MINERALS Kings Lynn site.

Commenting on the launch of the plan, Gary Stringer, Director of Resources UK, says: “The key to our Biodiversity Action Plan is partnership. Over the years our operational sites around the country have been progressively restoring land in partnership with local communities, local authorities and relevant wildlife organisations. We feel that the time is now right to bring all this experience and expertise together into an overall strategy for the future. We recognise that the company can make a significant contribution to the biodiversity targets for a region as well as contribute to UK totals. A systematic way of collating this information and reporting on it is what is needed now.”

He continues: “Last year alone WBB MINERALS restored a total of 30 hectares of land which is equivalent to approximately 36 football pitches. Many companies who have an impact on the environment are criticised for the job they do however, it is important that people recognise what these companies also put back into local communities. For example: in 2002, we removed 1000 metres of hedgerow however, we put back more than double that amount – 2300 metres. Similarly, in 2002 we removed 800 trees but we put back 21,000 trees and shrubs. It is these kinds of statistics, which are often overlooked. We want to now get out on the front foot and explain how WBB MINERALS can make positive contributions to the environment and how we sensitively manage the operations and land we have.”

WBB MINERALS were keen to involve as many organisations as possible in the initial launch of the plan as they recognise that a successful Biodiversity Action Plan is not something that the company can achieve in isolation. The attendees at the launch reflected this and represented various WBB MINERALS stakeholders such as English Nature, DTI, Wildlife Trusts as well as local community and local authority representatives.

Commenting on the event, Gavin Measures, Biodiversity Implementation Officer at English Nature, says: "It was very encouraging to hear the progress WBB Minerals has made in drawing up its own company biodiversity action plan and their ongoing efforts to conserve biodiversity on their land holdings. It is still early stages but by involving ourselves and local groups, the company has an excellent chance of producing a plan which will successfully contribute to national and local biodiversity action plan targets. We welcome their approach and will be guiding them through the process and providing support where needed."

Similar comments were also made by the DTI’s Materials and Engineering Unit, Annie Norgrove, Relationship Manager – Metals and Minerals adds: ''The event was a great success in terms of multistakeholder involvement. It is clear that engaging in biodiversity contributes to sound environmental reputation and is an important element of the overall Sustainable Development policy. Needless to say, there is a strong business case for it too. We wish WBB MINERALS every success in its campaign of pursuing biodiversity and other sustainable development activities''

The next stage for WBB MINERALS is to work closely with the individual Wildlife Trusts to effectively produce a ‘green audit’ of their existing operational sites as well as areas of restored land. By going through the process of evaluating current biodiversity levels, the company can set targets and objectives for future land management.

Gary Stringer concludes: “We recognise that as large landowners who can literally create new landscapes, we also have a great opportunity to create a wide variety of habitats both large and small. We also accept that as our activities take place in often sensitive environments, there is a duty indeed, an expectation that we should go beyond our statutory obligations. The company has readily accepted this challenge as evidenced by the quality of our restoration works and the accolades which have been received. Our focus over the coming months is to derive our corporate strategy and local plans in collaboration with our key stakeholders, in particular our local communities. We anticipate that this will take two years to complete.”