Successful partnership with Cranfield University
Dr Rob Simmons, Reader in Sustainable Soil Management at Cranfield University
Over the last 7 years Tarmac has developed successful partnership with Cranfield University. MSc students from the university have completed group projects and Thesis’ alongside Tarmac to help us solve real world restoration issues and developing best practice.
The focus for 2019 was to trial and evaluate of the Defra Biodiversity Metric 2.0 on sand and gravel quarries. The results have contributed to providing a greater understanding of the positive impact that habitat creation, carried out by mineral companies and their partners, has on the environment.
Dr Rob Simmons, Reader in Sustainable Soil Management at Cranfield University, who supervised the students along with Dr Lynda Deeks, said: “The students work was able for the first time to demonstrate the huge potential for biodiversity net gain in quarrying, operations. This project builds on our longstanding relationship with Tarmac and shows the opportunities that students at Cranfield have to make a difference to the practices of some of the world’s leading companies.”
The students who studied on the University’s Land Reclamation and Restoration MSc and Geographical Information Management MSc were recognized with a Special Innovation Award at the Mineral Products Association (MPA) Quarries and Nature awards 2019, for the work they had carried out on this project.