Quarries and Pollinators: Recognize and Welcome Them is a guide originally written in French by Lilly Gillet and Grégory Mahy from the University of Liège (ULiège) and sponsored by the Fédération de l’Industrie Extractive (FEDIEX), with the support and partnership of the Walloon Region.
The guide has been translated into English and Spanish by the Rotate Project The (funded by the European Commission and led by ANEFA) and theSpanish Aggregates Federation (FdA), with the support of European Aggregates Industry (UEPG). This translation aims to make the guide accessible to a wider audience and to promote pollinator-friendly practices in quarry and gravel pit management.
The publication showcases the outstanding potential of quarries and gravel pits to become vibrant spaces for biodiversity, particularly for the conservation of pollinating insects. Thanks to their structural diversity and evolving landscapes, these sites offer a rich mosaic of habitats that can support the entire life cycle of a wide range of pollinators, including wild bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other beneficial species.
Through the adoption of well-designed ecological practices—such as planting native vegetation, maintaining floral diversity, conserving bare ground and deadwood, and enhancing ecological connectivity—quarry operators are demonstrating how industry can actively contribute to environmental stewardship. These nature-based initiatives strengthen ecosystem resilience, reinforce pollination services, and offer visible, measurable value to both local communities and the wider environment.
The document also highlights how biodiversity-friendly actions can be harmoniously integrated into quarry planning and restoration, adding long-term environmental and social value without compromising operational efficiency. These efforts reflect the forward-thinking mindset of the aggregates industry, which increasingly positions itself as a driver of sustainability and ecological innovation.
By promoting and implementing good practices in quarry sites, the sector is not only supporting national and European biodiversity strategies but also leading by example in how economic activity can align with nature conservation. This guide offers a powerful and inspiring message: with vision, collaboration, and commitment, quarries can become reference models for positive environmental transformation.
The publication is now available for download in English and Spanish at our media section.
