After winning the 2015 Insurance Corporation Conservation Awards in Guernsey, Ronez have officially completed their Les Vardes Quarry Nature Walk. We visited for the launch and took a stroll around the site to find out more…
We were delighted to visit Les Vardes Quarry for the launch of the new Nature Walk, a project managed by Ronez with their top prize winnings of £1500 from last year’s 2015 ICCI Conservation Awards.
Operations Manager Steve Roussel walked us around the site to talk us through the changes they had made so far, and what their visions are moving forwards.
“We entered the award on the basis of our tree planting and bird boxes, which were allocated to improve the biodiversity of the quarry site. This is one part of our sustainability policy, and we’re very glad to have entered the Insurance Corporation Conservation Awards in 2015 after much persuasion from Vic Froome; whose knowledge on the project has helped to guide us in the right direction”
With the money awarded to Ronez for their top prize achievement, they’ve turned the site into a Nature Walk, enabling the Guernsey public full access to walk around the quarry and enjoy the surroundings.
“Originally only half of the route was walkable, but we got the team working on the area with an excavator in conjunction with a few gardeners to make a track through the other half of the site. The pathways have been created out of resource from the quarry itself, mainly being waste stone”
Work started in September 2015, and the Nature Walk is now officially open. The site has become a fantastic area for island conservation as well as an enjoyable experience with some eye catching views.
A few of the extra additions to the site have been:
- Additional fencing to protect the Animals that graze in the area
- Extra signs to mark areas and guide walkers
- Extra fencing to prevent wildlife from entering other properties
- A zebra crossing from the road to guide walkers on to the start of the trail walk.
“We were really surprised to win, especially when up against such fantastic entries. It’s been nice to have some recognition for what we’ve done, and the team are very proud”
What next?
Moving forwards, Steve explained that Ronez plan to put up display boards in order to outline the various wildlife on the trail, the quarry and it’s history as a German marine battery and the equipment, processes, and functions of the site.
We’re delighted to have supported this fantastic conservation project, and look forward to watching it’s developments closely. Make sure you visit to find out more!
Do you have a conservation project of your own? No matter how small or big, enter our 2016 Conservation Awards to be in with a chance of winning one of the many prizes available! FIND OUT MORE
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