National Stone, Sand & Gravel
Association Environmental Eagle Award
Red-necked Grebe typical of those found on Manitoulin Quarry reclaimed
wildlife habitat
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Operated by Lafarge North America, the Manitoulin Quarry was awarded the
National Stone Sand and Gravel Association’s 2004 Silver Environmental
Eagle Award. The Environmental Eagle Award was created in 1992 to provide
national recognition for aggregate-producing companies actively contributing
to the maintenance of the environment in and around their operations, as
evidenced by a corporate commitment to the full use of environmental
controls and systems.
Manitoulin Quarry, located on the extreme west end of Manitoulin Island
in Lake Huron, represents the Wildlife Habitat Council’s first “Corporate
Campaign for Migratory Bird Conservation” project beyond the borders of
the United States. This site consists of almost 5,000 acres (owned or leased
by Lafarge) of strategically located migratory bird habitat. According to
the reports presented from the Wildlife Habitat Canada and Nature
Conservancy Canada representatives at a site meeting, there are numerous
species of "concern" that use Manitoulin Island for nesting and
cover.
Mixed hardwoods and grassland/shrublands currently dominate the acreage
on-site. The site provides critical habitat for species such as the common
loon, scoters, oldsquaw, red-necked grebes, least tern and a variety of
other open-water, edge-loving waders and shorebirds. When the quarries are
reclaimed over the next few decades, the resulting habitat will pay tribute
to the partners that are currently focusing attention on the value of such
planning and teamwork.
A Least Turn typical of those found
on the quarry’s reclaimed land
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