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The theme of the International Biodiversity Day 2024 is “Be part of the Plan”.

Despite the numerous technological advancements within the rail and construction industry our survival still heavily relies on robust and thriving ecosystems to provide us with essential resources such as water, food, medicine, clothing, fuel, shelter, and energy.

Often the works that we carry out may result in the reduction of areas of habitat that supports a myriad of organisms, insects, and other wildlife, not done intentionally, but maybe the cause of damage to brickwork, stonework, timber frames, structural supports, returfing areas previously covered by building site offices, the list is endless!

Across the AW Group we have helped replace wildlife habitats, working with various local organisations, using recycled materials from rail and construction projects to construct bird boxes, bat boxes, hedgehog houses, provided labour to our clients for the replanting of native plants/trees along the trackside after de-vegetation programmes, living walls within mainline railway stations and much more.

Our bird and bat boxes have been made species specific by using data from various sources to identify those species that nest in that area.

Working across such a diverse range of sites means that we get to see bio diversity projects first hand, hops being grown within the grounds of universities to produce their own craft beers, sensory gardens within educational establishments, wild flower planting on railway embankments, bug hotels within planted areas at shopping centres, bee hives at the HQ’s of some of our clients, communal garden planters within town centres, stations and other public areas.

Everyone can be “Part of the Plan” and it is often the smallest contribution to encourage biodiversity that can see the greatest impact. Biodiversity managed well, will not only help mitigate climate change, it improves our health and mental wellbeing.

It’s also worth noting that these biodiversity habitats are natural sinks for carbon, so their loss makes climate change worse, which in turn affects habitats and the species that depend on them. The United Nations reported that in a world that is 1.5 °C warmer, 4 % of mammals would lose half their habitats.

If there is one statistic that summarizes these losses like a dreaded budget, it is that we are using the equivalent of 1.6 Earths to sustain our lifestyles, with natural resources and nature unable to keep pace. And according to the United Nations Environment Programme, we need to restore ecosystems to tackle both climate change and save species from extinction.

Fortunately, there is growing evidence that the door is now revolving both ways for biodiversity, with losses being counteracted by gains through restoration and nature-based solutions, such as stewardship of natural ecosystems and climate change adaptation. Just here in Kent we have seen some interesting new proposals for biodiversity credits and turning over land into the stewardship of organisations to redevelop areas over many years into rich biodiversity and sustainable areas.

Naturally, the road to conservation will be long and complicated so if you can be Part of the Plan on the International Biodiversity Day 2024, no matter how small, get on with it!

You can see a number of projects and collaborations that we have worked on across rail and construction here:

AW Group is a multi-disciplined construction company providing a broad range of support and manpower across building and rail projects.

Our Fields are:

AW Construction – We offer an outstanding UK-wide fit out service, taking care of everything from scheduling rollouts & ordering materials to assistance with design and onsite delivery

AW Rail – We use the very best labour force and a proactive approach to deliver first-class construction and maintenance projects across the rail industry

AW Labour – We provide a high-calibre blue collar and white-collar workforce with a diverse range of skills, to support the construction and rail industries