BUSINESSES in the region are being challenged to carry out projects to help preserve wildlife.

The Durham Biodiversity Partnership is overseeing a programme in which a series of challenges have been designed by organisations including the Durham Wildlife Trust and Sunderland, Gateshead and South Tyneside councils.

They aim to help to meet targets in the Durham Biodiversity Action Plan, which sets out ways in which businesses, landowners and individuals can encourage flora and fauna ranging from barn owls to endangered wildflowers.

Andy Lees, of the partnership, who is based at the trust's Rainton Meadows headquarters at Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, said the challenges also provided opportunities for businesses and public bodies to design team-building exercises.

Mr Lees said some companies had already agreed to take part. He said: "We currently have a variety of challenges, from beach clean-ups and building boardwalks in nature reserves, to designing and installing water pumping systems to aid a wetland creation scheme for wading birds, but we can find smaller or larger projects to meet an organisation's needs.

"In my experience, companies who take up these challenges get a lot out of it in terms of staff morale, team spirit and the feel-good factor, and biodiversity benefits too. It's a win-win situation."

Two companies that have already signed up are taking part in Durham Wildlife Trust's water vole conservation project From Coals to Voles, on which The Northern Echo business supplement reported on November 16.

NSK Bearings, at the South West Industrial Estate, Peterlee, County Durham, has made changes to its grounds maintenance programme to provide habitats for water voles.

On the nearby Bracken Hill Industrial Estate, nPower is organising staff volunteering days where they will help Durham Wildlife Trust to manage a nearby stream to benefit the creatures.

Jim Cokill, project officer for Coals to Voles, said: "What NSK and nPower are looking at doing is fantastic news. By managing habitats for water voles, there are so many other benefits for the people and the environment, from reduced pollution and a more attractive landscape to opportunities for people to get out, learn new skills and enjoy themselves.'

The first challenge initiative was staged in November 2002 when a number of businesses took part. All have continued their support for wildlife projects and are considering taking part this time.

Among them was East Durham company Walkers Snack Foods, in Stephenson Road, Peterlee, which built 95 metres of boardwalk over a sand dune at nearby Crimdon Dene.

A spokesman said: "The environment is close to our hearts and it was an opportunity to support an area of SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). The team had a lot of fun as well as improving an important area of the North-East coastline."

GlaxoSmithKline, at Barnard Castle, also took part, looking after three botanically important road verges in Upper Teesdale. A spokesman said: "It was an experience thoroughly enjoyed by everybody who participated and a launchpad for further biodiversity work by GSK Barnard Castle."

Electrolux, at Spennymoor, was challenged to build and erect 150 nest boxes for barn owl, spotted flycatchers and tree sparrows.

A company spokesman said: "Looking back, we did not do a lot of planning, organising, costing, discussing or training.

"I think we went into a frame of mind that we did these things in the background as part of normal duties and just got on with the job.

"The key thing was that we all enjoyed being involved."

There is no set timetable for the challenges.

Further details are available at the website www.durhambiodi versity.org.uk

Businesses wishing to take part can also contact Mr Lees at 0191-584 3112.

Published: 14/12/2004