Restoring Mineral Sites for Biodiversity. People and the Economy across North West Europe

The aim of RESTORE is to address the challenge of environmental degradation across NWE by developing a framework for the restoration of minerals sites (quarries). to provide benefits for biodiversity. habitats and local people. This will increase the sustainability of NWE by reversing biodiversity declines. protecting and buffering designated sites. enhancing landscapes. providing Green Infrastructure and improving quality of life. The value of the natural environment is recognised by policy makers throughout the EU. but the challenge of delivering environmental benefits in parallel with economic development is ever present. The restoration of quarry sites – which provide the raw materials crucial to the economic development of NWE – into havens for wildlife and people is a win-win situation which aligns with policy drivers related to both economics and environment. The project sets out support and facilitates these restorations by: - developing a clear policy framework - developing demonstration sites to showcase what can be achieved - producing an online map to help users identify the best restoration options - carrying out rigorous economic analysis to serve as the basis of a user friendly tool kit to analyse ecosystem services - disseminating project results and outputs to stakeholders and interested parties - planners. local communities. industry. NGOs. government agencies. decision makers etc. These resources and tools will each facilitate engagement between key stakeholders around each restoration site. informing a dialogue on restoration options / best practice. By showcasing demonstration sites within RESTORE. the partners will illustrate how quarry sites can benefit biodiversity. encouraging others to take similar action. Showing the value of biodiversity restoration for people. wildlife and economies will help secure changes in policy and practice across NWE. delivering long-term impact and contributing to sustainability objectives.The project was successfully launched in September 2013 at a reception in London, where Catherine Bearder MEP spoke to endorse the project, alongside representatives from the minerals industry and the partner organisations. Subsequently, Surrey County Council hosted the first of three international policy seminars, bringing together audiences from across the partner countries to discuss and debate pertinent issues around biodiversity-led minerals restoration, and the part this can play in boosting the local economy.
On the ground, the RSPB have inputted advice into the restoration schemes at nine sites across Great Britain, and are about to embark on a series of eight demonstration events with the aim of disseminating restoration best practice to all mineral sector stakeholders. A hydrological study at the ‘t Pompje former clay extraction site in Belgium has been conducted by VLM which will inform the reed marsh restoration and water purification plan at the site. IKL undertook habitat management measures at abandoned historical quarries in South Limburg, NL to encourage midwife and/or yellow-bellied toad population growth. In addition, several small, temporary breeding waters for yellow-bellied toads were created and four breeding ponds for midwife toads were restored. ENCI Gebeid has chosen the final design for a staircase scaling the ENCI quarry wall in order to re-connect an ancient road running through the site.
ILS and the RSPB’s Conservation Science team completed a review document of economic valuation techniques, relevant literature and case studies relating to ecosystem services at mineral restoration sites. The RSPB’s Conservation Science team in RESTORE have undertaken ecosystem service assessments of three restoration sites (Middleton Lakes, Ouse Fen and Fen Drayton) and scientific papers are now in preparation and are in the journal review process.
The RSPB has also undertaken ecosystem service assessments of three restoration sites (Middleton Lakes, Ouse Fen and Fen Drayton) and scientific papers are now in the journal review process.