| 2009 | 2008 | |
| Trees planted | 313,238 | 129,799 |
| Hedgerows planted | 14.36km | 9.05km |
The sector has a legacy of high quality restoration of mineral sites as reflected in the MPA’s Restoration Awards scheme over the past 40 years. In recognition of the increasing focus on biodiversity, MPA has launched a Biodiversity Strategy and work is now underway on a new award scheme sponsored by Natural England to recognise and highlight the industry’s contribution.
Nature After Minerals (NAM) is a partnership programme between the minerals industry, RSPB and Natural England. It aims to realise the major potential for UK Biodiversity Action Plan delivery via mineral site restoration and works with all relevant stakeholders including operating companies, planning authorities and local communities. To date, the programme has contributed directly to the restoration of over 1,800 hectares of BAP priority habitats, with the potential for much more. To put the potential into perspective research has indicated that restored mineral sites could meet 100 per cent of nine out of eleven key biodiversity habitat creation targets in England by 2015.
Meanwhile, the British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA) is about to publish a biodiversity action plan strategy with input from Natural England and the Countryside Council for Wales. The approach involves a single strategy and reporting process developed for the sector as a whole and represents a coherent, consistent and robust approach for operators, regulators and advisors. Individual biodiversity action plans will be produced regionally.