NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO STONE SAND AND GRAVEL ASSOCIATION
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The Roehner, Norman and Greek Pits, operated by Lafarge Canada Inc. - A Member of LafargeHolcim, in the Township of Oro-Medonte, have received the 2018 Biodiversity Award from the Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. Lafarge leverages tools like its Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) and the International Union of Conservation of Nature’s Biodiversity Indicator and Reporting System (BIRS) to enhance and protect biodiversity at its Oro-Medonte Pits (Roehner, Norman, and Greeks Pits.)
It is guided by the four strategic directions outlined in Ontario Biodiversity Strategy, 2011. It engages people through site tours and educational events and improves knowledge through awareness campaigns as well as tree planting events with groups like the Boys and Girls of Innisfil and Scouts Canada. Lafarge’s biodiversity strategy supports at-risk species, makes new linkages to surrounding ecosystems through ongoing rehabilitation, and creates new habitants.
The Biodiversity Award honours OSSGA members for their contribution to sustaining biodiversity through species protection, habitat improvement and sustainable land-use activities. They are recognized for conserving biodiversity beyond standard regulatory practices and typical industry activities. Each eligible project must demonstrate support for one or more of the following: engaging people, reducing threats, enhancing resilience, and improving knowledge.
“Lafarge has made great strides to set high level examples in the industry,” said Xavier Guesnu, VP Aggregates for Eastern Canada. “We put in significant amount of effort to make all our sites green and sustainable at a site specific and global level. Given the level of effort and initiatives taken at our sites in the Oro-Medonte cluster we are very proud and honoured to receive the Biodiversity award.”
The OSSGA Industry Recognition Awards Program recognizes a wide range of activities that contribute to a progressive image of our member aggregate producers and the aggregate industry as a whole. A key goal is to raise the bar in the industry by highlighting operations that go above and beyond what is required by legislation. “We encourage our members to be sound stewards of the lands on which they operate, and to be engaged and valued members of their community,” said Norm Cheesman, Executive Director of OSSGA. “All of the award winners have demonstrated a pursuit of excellence in the aggregate industry.”
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