Finding accessible ways for staff to engage with biodiversity isn’t always easy. Breedon Ireland has created an annual biodiversity calendar featuring photographs taken by staff, increasing engagement and promoting biodiversity.
About the company
Breedon is a leading, vertically integrated, international construction materials group in Great Britain, Ireland and the United States.
We supply the construction industry with the essential materials needed to build the places where we live, work, play, and everything in-between.
The issue and Charter Unit
Across the business, there was a continued interest in nature and biodiversity. Having a large landholding meant staff were constantly surrounded by nature, but many were unsure how they could help or become involved.
What the company did
We wanted to find a simple way that staff from all parts of the business could get involved in our biodiversity initiative without having to take much time out of their normal workday. As we spoke to staff across our sites, we realised that many connected to the wildlife on site through photography.
A large number of staff own camera phones, providing an easy gateway into wildlife photography, where they were regularly engaging with biodiversity without even realising it.
This led to the idea of an annual biodiversity calendar, where staff submit photos they have taken on site of flora and fauna. Each month features a different photo, alongside key environmental dates, such as the Big Butterfly Count or RSPB’s Big Garden Bird Watch. Each month also features a biodiversity action staff could take, such as No Mow May.
Since launching the first biodiversity calendar in 2025, we have seen increased interest in biodiversity among staff. Engagement has grown each year and has fed into other biodiversity initiatives across the company, including our annual Biodiversity Week and contributions to our Biodiversity Newsletter.
The calendar has provided many benefits across the company and has illustrated a strong commitment to environmental enhancement and biodiversity conservation.
In the future, we plan to expand the distribution of our calendars beyond staff and will begin giving them to customers, broadening the reach of our biodiversity stewardship.
Below are some sample photos taken by staff that were included in the calendar.
Impacts and Outcomes
- More staff engagement
- Increased understanding of biodiversity on site
- Increased employee awareness
- Stronger biodiversity culture