Tarmac backing conservation in Peak District

Main image: Tarmac volunteers try their hand at drystone walling in the Peak District National Park.

Construction giant Tarmac is stepping up to provide much needed funding to help the Peak District National Park employ a new member of staff to support its conservation volunteering programme.

This generous donation commits £20,000 each year for the next five years and is directly providing the money and volunteer hours needed to care for and protect the very special landscape of the UK’s first National Park.

Employees from Tarmac will also help the new Volunteer Projects Assistant with projects across the National Park on one day each month for the duration of the partnership.

Sarah Fowler, chief executive of the Peak District National Park, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working alongside Tarmac to help look after this wonderful place. It’s a great example of a business determined to invest back into its local communities.

Tarmac volunteers with Peak District National Park CEO Sarah Fowler.

“This year marks the 65th anniversary of the original UK National Park and this support, together with the fantastic efforts of all our volunteers, helps us to protect it for future generations to enjoy.’’

Tarmac is the UK’s leading sustainable building materials and construction solutions business and volunteering is an important part of its strategy to have a positive impact on the communities in which it works.

To launch this unique and pioneering partnership, employees from Tarmac’s Tunstead Quarry, near Buxton, will be helping to repair a section of dry-stone wall near the North Lees campsite at Stanage on Friday June 10. This project is a good example of the work that will now be possible because of this funding.

Volunteers Project Assistant Nick Baker said: “This is a great example of the value of our new partnership with Tarmac. Dry-stone walls are a big part of the Peak District landscape and it is important that we keep them in good repair. But it is very time-consuming process and it would be difficult and expensive to complete the work without volunteer help.’’

Tarmac has set a target of 50,000 volunteer hours per year by 2020 and the company will provide volunteering opportunities for employees in the Peak District National Park, supporting the internationally-recognised work of the Peak Park Conservation Volunteers (PPCV).

Andy Corrigan, director of communications and corporate affairs at Tarmac, said: “We’re excited to be entering a partnership with our close neighbour with whom we’ve had a long relationship. The Partnership enables us to contribute to maintaining and protecting this precious natural asset and learn from the Park’s work to support our own volunteering targets.”

For more information on how to get involved in the PPCV programme, or other volunteer opportunities in the Peak District National Park, visit www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/volunteering