Ready to “Do One Thing” for Biodiversity in construction?

CIRIA is delighted to announce that the BIG Biodiversity Challenge 2017 was officially launched on 28 February, in London. Now in its fourth year, and led by the BIG Biodiversity Interest Group, the Challenge invites the industry to add one new biodiversity enhancement to a construction site, development or existing building, however big or small, permanent or temporary, and to be creative about enhancing biodiversity.

The well attended launch event, brought together clients, consultants, contractors, house builders, ecologists, landscape architects as well past awards winners who passionately discussed their 2016 award winning projects, highlighting how any biodiversity enhancement, big or small, can make a BIG difference.

Getting involved in the Challenge and Awards couldn’t be easier. Simply sign up to take the Challenge, enter the Awards, sponsor an award category or join us on social media @bigbiodiversity This year we are also introducing the BIG Biodiversity Champion award with nominations sought for an individual who has contributed most to the ethos of doing one thing for biodiversity either within their organisation, as part of a wider project team, as part of a supporting group or a local grass-roots initiative. Details of all awards categories can be found at www.bigchallenge.info.

Suzanne Simmons, Project Manager, CIRIA says “CIRIA is delighted to invite the construction industry to take the BIG Biodiversity Challenge in 2017, now in its fourth year of existence. The Challenge celebrates the construction industry’s commitment to biodiversity when organisations pledge to do one thing for biodiversity on site. The simplicity of this pledge has really captured the industry’s imagination across the length and breadth of the country and this week’s launch was all about celebrating depth and range of activities carried out. Last year’s award winners demonstrated how the construction industry can rise to the BIG Biodiversity Challenge and in most cases exceeding the one thing commitment and doing much, much more.”

The awards would not be possible without industry support and we are delighted to gain support from British Land, Kier, Land Securities, Sir Robert McAlpine, and Wildflower Turf Ltd.

The Challenge and Awards are free to enter and we have a number of sponsorship opportunities for organisations wanting to be involved in the year’s Awards. For further information on how to enter, and to be inspired by last year’s entries, please visit www.bigchallenge.info. The BIG Biodiversity Challenge 2017 Awards ceremony will take place on 14 September, in London.