HEIDELBERG Materials has launched the sixth round of the Quarry Life Award, its biodiversity research competition.

Batts Combe quarry, near Cheddar, is now open for project submissions for the competition.

Participants from more than 15 countries worldwide can pitch their project ideas for sustainable quarry management and compete for prizes totalling €300,000 (around £250,000).

This competition was introduced in 2011 and runs every three years as an attempt to inspire biodiversity and restoration projects at extraction sites globally.

It aims to strengthen communication channels with neighbours and raise awareness on the importance of nature and habitats.

Since its inception, the award has amassed over 1,500 submissions and inspired more than 450 project ideas focused on promoting and protection biodiversity.

Simon Parkes, unit manager at Batts Combe quarry, said: “The protection and enhancement of biodiversity is at the core of our sustainability strategy, so our aim is to encourage projects that can support the work we are already doing to improve biodiversity and the quality of restoration at our sites.

“We would also like to hear from people who have ideas which will create a better understanding of the importance of quarrying and its vital role in constructing and maintaining the built environment like our homes, schools, roads and hospitals.

“The Quarry Life Award aligns with our 2030 commitment to build a nature positive future and, by increasing dialogue with academics, NGOs and our local communities, is helping to inform the development of biodiversity action plans at all our sites.”

There are two streams for this project. The first being the research stream which targets scientific projects, aiming to enhance the understanding of quarry-specific ecology.

This aims to result in improved biodiversity and more. The research stream is predominately for scientists, academics and research groups, covering topics such as species research.

The second stream is the community stream. This project is to connect the quarry with communities and neighbours and to help raise better awareness of its focus. This stream is open to everyone.

National winners will advance to the international stage of the competition, with prizes awarded in the following categories: biodiversity management, habitat and species, beyond quarry borders, biodiversity and education, connecting quarries and communities, and nature-based solutions.

The best projects in each of the six categories will be rewarded with a prize of €10,000 (approx. £8,400) each. The best project overall will receive no less than €30,000 (approx. £25,300) in total.

To submit your project proposal at the Batts Combe Quarry, visit the Quarry Life Award website by the November 18, 2024.

Six of the proposals will be selected to become projects between January-September 2025.