IQ Biodiversity Workshop 2023

Improving biodiversity, habitats and landscape during and after quarrying.

The mineral products and extraction industry has made and continues to make an incredibly valuable contribution to creating unique habitats and improving biodiversity both during and after operations.

Both wet and dry quarries offer a huge range of opportunities to develop natural landscapes and habitats for native fauna and flora. These habitats including heathland, hay meadows, calcareous grassland and wetlands which have been in serious decline over the past 100 years; along with the decline in the population of birds, insects, amphibians, reptiles, wildflowers and many other species.

Now the Institute of Quarrying brings a new interactive workshop to help quarry professionals build their skills and knowledge in this vital area.

Overview

This workshop is ideally suited for quarry managers, supervisors, area operations managers, ecologists, restoration managers and those involved in estates management and planning.

The day will be led by Andy Littler who has spent 40 years in the industry, devising and implementing biodiversity action plans and managing restoration schemes. He will be assisted by ecologist David Broom, a professional ecologist who has been working with major companies in the extractives industry for over 25 years.

Delegates will enjoy an interactive and engaging session packed with practical examples. It also includes a field visit to an adjacent nature reserve and quarry restoration scheme in progress.

This workshop qualifies for 6 hours of certified CPD.

Agenda

9.30   Arrival tea and coffee

10.00 Welcome and introductions; objectives for the day

10.10 Quarries, landscape and biodiversity: Biodiversity action plans and case studies 1; by Andy Littler

10.50 Introduction to ecology and habitats; by David Broom

11.30 Q&A and shared experiences from delegates

11.45 Where Biodiversity fits within the wider regulatory and sustainability framework; by Andy Littler

12.15 Q&A and shared experiences from delegates

12.30 Lunch

13.15 Practical examples of quarry restoration, successes and failures

13.55 Quarries, landscape and biodiversity: Biodiversity action plans and case studies 2; by Andy Littler

14.35 Refreshment break, Q&A and shared experiences from delegates

14.50 Field visit: short walk from the National Stone Centre to Gang Mine nature reserve and Dene Quarry restoration and wildflower meadow translocation. No PPE is required for this but walking boots or wellingtons are strongly advised. 

16.30 Workshop ends

Date: Choose either Tuesday 23rd May or Wednesday 24th May 2023

Location: The National Stone Centre, Porter Lane, Wirksworth, DE4 4LS

Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm

Places are priced at £216.00 each (£180.00 + VAT)

The places for this workshop are limited to 15 per day. Please complete the booking form below to secure your place. Once we receive your booking, you will receive a separate email to confirm payment arrangements.