NCC Kielo - Our method to enhance biodiversity
It’s not just us who appreciate our gravel pits and quarries throughout the Nordics—many other species of animals and plants do as well. That’s why we work methodically to promote biodiversity over time at several of our gravel pits and quarries. We call this NCC Kielo.
The unique climate of our quarries
A gravel pit or quarry creates unique climates and microenvironments that benefit species thriving in open areas without dense vegetation. This can include peregrine falcons and eagle owls, various insect species, amphibians, and plants that require poor soil and plenty of sunlight. The ever-changing environment that a gravel pit or quarry offers can therefore contribute to biodiversity in a very special way, even during operation. From this insight, the idea of NCC Kielo was born a structured biodiversity initiative over time where we focus on mapping, goals, actions and follow-up.
NCC Kielo was first launched in Finland and has since been further developed into a Nordic concept within NCC. Kielo means lily of the valley in Finnish and is Finland’s national flower. Kielo is also an acronym formed from "Klviaineksen Elävä LuOnto," which means "living nature of stone."
Our NCC Kielo sites in the Nordics
The following activities are required for NCC Kielo
For us to approve a gravel pit or quarry as NCC Kielo, the biodiversity work must be described and regularly monitored in order to continuously develop the efforts.
Step 1 – Map and describe actions
- Conduct a survey of habitat types and characteristic species in the area.
- Describe the overall goals for the gravel pit or quarry.
- Describe the actions that should be taken in the area to create improved conditions for biodiversity, such as a more varied composition of habitats and structures in the area.
Step 2 – Implement, manage, follow up
- Implement the action plan.
- Follow up on the results at least every three years in a gravel pit and every five years in a quarry.
- Revise the plan as needed.
- Manage invasive species present in the gravel pit or quarry in order to eradicate or reduce their spread.