Nestlé plants wildflower meadows to promote biodiversity in the UK Mittwoch, 24. Juli 2013 - 10:19

Nestlé has pledged to plant wildflower meadows within the grounds of all its factories in the United Kingdom by 2015 to encourage the development of natural habitats while creating more green space for local communities.

The company expects the new meadows at its 13 sites across the country to attract a variety of wildlife, including different species of butterflies - numbers of which are currently in decline in the UK.

Nestlé is also working with a group of dairy farmers who supply its factory in Girvan, Scotland, to plant wildflowers on their land. This will bring the total area of meadows that will be created by the project to 75 acres, equivalent to about 250 football pitches.

"Pollinators such as butterflies, bees and birds are integral to the food supply chain," said Inder Poonaji, Head of Environmental Sustainability at Nestlé UK.

"By helping to restore natural habitats in this way we hope to see an increase in local biodiversity.

"Our long-term goal is to work with more organisations, businesses and other stakeholders across our supply chain to make this a national project."

Butterfly app
Nestlé employees, their families and local schools have begun planting meadows with experts from local branches of Natural England, the Wildlife Trust and Butterfly Conservation.

There are now already meadows at five Nestlé factories in the UK: in Girvan, Scotland; Fawdon, Northumberland; Buxton, Derbyshire; Tutbury, South Derbyshire; and Dalston, Cumbria.

Nestlé has also developed a soon to be launched new mobile app that employees can use to record butterfly sightings.

Data from the app will be made available to local nature and wildlife organisations, to support the monitoring of butterfly numbers across the UK.

Global commitment
Nestlé's wildflower meadow project is just one example of its global commitment to developing its business in a way that safeguards natural resources, biodiversity and ecosystem services.

For instance, in north east France, Nestlé Waters has worked in partnership with local farmers, businesses, residents, and gardeners for more than two decades to protect the natural sources of three of its most popular mineral water brands.

Over the years, the 'Agrivair' initiative in the Vosges water basin has helped to improve the quality of soil in the region, while protecting its biodiversity.

Related information:
Nestlé UK
http://www.nestle.co.uk/

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