TWO schemes previously featured in Business Echo have scooped conservation awards.

UK Coal and 3M won prizes in Durham Wildlife Trust's second annual Conservation Awards.

The Southfield Surface Coal Mine project won the Rural Business category for UK Coal, in the competition sponsored by npower.

It involves the restoration of the Southfield opencast mine near Shildon, County Durham, including creating habitats for endangered dingy skipper butterflies. The scheme has also included increasing the area of woodland, the creation of wetlands, improving existing watercourses and planting species-rich hay meadows.

Although some of the work was detailed in the planning approval from Durham County Council, much is being done on the company's own initiative.

According to the judges' citation: "It is clear that the steps being taken stretch beyond those required solely for the planning application.

"The scale of this project demonstrates how the involvement of industry can have a positive and lasting impact on nature conservation, given the right attitude and determination."

Winner in the Urban Business category was 3M Aycliffe's Centenary Field project.

Staff at 3M, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, are involved in a variety of activities to improve the local environment.

One project, celebrating 100 years of manufacturing by 3M, involved the return of a field owned by the company to natural woodland and wildflower meadow.

Pupils from Heighinghton Primary School undertook research into the history of the site, resulting in the discovery of a subterranean circular feature and ditch, possibly dating back several thousand years.

The tree planting and wildflower meadow seeding on the site, undertaken after consultation with a number of environmental organisations, has resulted in 38 species of birds being recorded.

Nesting boxes for a variety of species have been installed and an arrangement has been reached with a neighbouring farmer to crop the hay meadow, ensuring its sustainability.

The judges citation said: "Encompassing archaeology and natural history, this project demonstrates what businesses can contribute to the communities in which they are based."

Published: 13/12/2005