Quarry Life Award

The first edition of the Quarry Life Award launched by ­HeidelbergCement and its national companies raised strong interest from students and researchers from Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania. Over 300 project proposals focusing on biodiversity protection and management at the quarries of the Group had been registered to compete until mid-February 2012 in 18 countries on 4 continents. In a first evaluation phase of the Quarry Life Award contest national juries had reviewed each proposal. University professors, NGO’s, national authorities and our companies’ General Managers selected the “Top 5” in each contest that continued into the next stage of the competition. Starting in March, candidates are performing their field project research (Fig.) to validate and develop their ideas. Final reports will be submitted at the end of September 2012. The best 3 projects in each contest will be awarded prizes up to 5000 €. In December 2012, the International Jury, including experts from the internationally recognised conservation organisations BirdLife International and the Jane Goodall Institute, will reward the best international projects with awards up to 30 000 €. The projects can be followed on http://www.facebook.com/quarrylifeaward.