Kieswerk Kiemy AG

Objective

To encourage the survival of the yellow-bellied toad, a species under threat throughout the country, over the entire quarry area of the Kiemy gravel works in Düdingen. The same measures will also benefit the sand lizard which is no longer common.

Context

Gravel has been quarried and processed in the Räsch region since 1964. All the existing areas which are not required for extraction and which it has also not yet been possible to recultivate will be landscaped and maintained with a view to the above objective.

Solution

The yellow-bellied toad makes use of newly formed bodies of water for its reproduction and shelter of various sorts in its natural habitat. A combination of temporary and enduring habitats.

These habitats will be created and cared for by regular initiatives undertaken by machine operators from the gravel works, by local school classes and by a nature conservation specialist. This will promote a feeling among the machine operators for “their” yellow-bellied toads and school pupils in the region will get to know the interrelationships between nature and gravel extraction.

Recultivations and measures for biodiversity are realised in a pragmatic manner in Swiss gravelextraction sites and quarries. The company itself cultivates the nature areas in collaboration with the FSKB staff.

Result

This close collaboration between the gravel works’ machine operators, school classes and nature conservation specialists is needed to enable such a large population of yellow-bellied toads to be maintained and supported in the restricted area of the quarry. These measures have enabled the population to increase constantly.

The versatile structures of the areas offer a living space for numerous species.