Top European award presented to Lafarge for Staffordshire land restoration

June 23, 2010 - PRLog -- Lafarge Aggregates’ role in creating and continuing to support the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, has been recognised with a Restoration Best Practice Special Award at the 2010 Sustainable Development Awards.  The awards are central to the European Aggregates Association’s (UEPG) campaign for ‘a sustainable industry for a sustainable Europe’.  

UEPG activities focus on all key issues facing the aggregates industry, with a particular focus on the environment, including biodiversity.  The development of the Arboretum on the site of one of Lafarge’s former sand and gravel quarries has restored it to an area of beauty, a haven for wildlife and a place of great historic importance.  Ecology and the environment have been at the forefront of the site’s development, with more than 50,000 trees having been planted to create beautiful wooded parkland.  

Nigel Jackson, Chief Executive of the Mineral Products Association (MPA) said: “The National Memorial Arboretum is an outstanding example of restoration which also won MPA’s top national prize for restoration.  We are pleased that the importance of high quality restoration in the UK as part of our contribution to sustainable development is recognised in these European Awards.”

The award-winning submission from Lafarge outlined the development and importance of the National Memorial Arboretum. Its involvement with the Arboretum has extended far beyond providing the land – it has been instrumental in the creation and sustained development of the Arboretum - from providing expertise and materials to being involved as a trustee and an active member on management, landscaping and communications committees.

Robert Whetstone, managing director of Lafarge Aggregates and a trustee of the Arboretum, said: “Land restoration is one of our top priorities and we actively seek out projects where we can leave a lasting legacy that benefits the environment, the local community or the Nation as a whole.  

“This international recognition is fantastic news and testament to the success of the National Memorial Arboretum.  We look forward to continuing our association with the dedicated team there.”