Lehigh Hanson, Inc. has recognized three individuals in its 2014 Quarry Life Award for North America, which this year saw two operations—Lincoln Quarry in Illinois and the Sechelt Mine in British Columbia—open their doors for research projects by program participants.
The winners and their research project themes are: first place, Florian Hopp, student from Germany, “Designing a Geo-Ecology and Education Nature Trail” (Sechelt); second place, Dr. DK Lee, University of Illinois, “Biodiversity and Educational Trails on a Reclaimed Rock Quarry” (Lincoln); and, third place, Dr. Sue Grayston and Emily Mason, University of British Columbia, “Biodiversity in Reclamation Treatments at the Lehigh Hanson Sand and Gravel Quarry” (Sechelt).
Participants submitted proposals within established categories of Raising Public Awareness, Promoting Biodiversity, Innovation & Biodiversity, Biodiversity & Education, and Pupil & Student Projects. Winners were selected by a jury consisting of Lehigh Hanson environmental management team members Sophie Mullen and Gary O’Toole; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Gwen Kolb; Dr. Judith Myers, Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia Professor Emeritus Dr. Judith Myers; and, Applied Ecological Services’ Bill Stoll.
“The three winning proposals were clearly the result of outstanding research, quality time spent at the quarry sites and a deep understanding of biodiversity management,” says Lehigh Hanson Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Public Relations and Sustainability Tom Chizmadia. “It was a pleasure working with this group of students and researchers to get a broader view of how we can incorporate biodiversity projects at our quarries now and in the future.” Lehigh Hanson parent HeidelbergCement launched the Quarry Life Award as an international research and education competition raising awareness about the biological value of mineral extraction sites.