- Rinker employees give to Tsunami victims.
- Outdoor classes at the 474 sand mine.
- Rinker Materials wins International Habitat Conservation Award.
Rinker employees give to Tsunami victims
No one who saw the images of the 26
December 2004 tsunami could ever forget
the devastation. Caused by one of the
biggest earthquakes in world history, the
tsunami spread thousands of kilometres over
several hours. It was among the deadliest
disasters in modern history.
The tsunami devastated the shores of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, South India, Thailand and other countries with waves up to 100 feet (30 metres) high. It caused serious damage and deaths as far as the east coast of Africa. Up to 310,000 people died from this disaster; the count is not yet complete. Thanks to a widespread humanitarian response, further deaths as a result of epidemics from poor sanitation and starvation are being averted.
Rinker employees in both the US and Australia generously donated US$71,505 ? US$48,005 by our US employees and US$23,500 by our Readymix and Humes employees in Australia.
Agreeing to match employee donations up to US$50,000 through the Rinker Companies Foundation, Rinker Group Limited and its employees donated a total of US$121,505 to the following relief agencies:
“I want to sincerely thank our people for their generosity in helping the victims of this extraordinary natural disaster,” says Rinker chief executive David Clarke “Every little bit will help save lives in the devastated regions.”
Rinker Materials wins International Habitat Conservation Award
Rinker Materials‘ people involved with the ongoing conservation and education programs at the 474 sand mine in Florida are to be congratulated for their ongoing awardwinning conservation efforts.
Their latest accolade is international recognition at the Wildlife Habitat Council‘s (WHC) 16th Annual Symposium for contributions to wildlife habitat conservation, by winning the prestigious Corporate Lands for Learning of the Year award. This is the second time they have been honoured with this award, having previously won it in 2002.
The award recognises a site for outstanding environmental education, stewardship and voluntary employee efforts. Criteria for winning the award include commitment to environmental stewardship and increasing native biodiversity, as well as exemplary ecosystem and environmental management, including environmental education programs.
From left to right: Bill Howard, WHC president, Erik Warm, manager of mine planning-Rinker Materials Quarries East, Alicia Hughes, Bethune Academy science teacher, Tracy Bryant, community relations manager-Rinker Materials, Travis Wellman, Central Florida operations manager-Rinker Materials.
Outdoor classes at the 474 sand mine
The 75 employees involved in the wildlife management program at the 474 mine are achieving many conservation and education goals. They ensure safety at the site, provide the community with a conservation area and continuous data on progress of the project, increase the abundance and biodiversity of existing and mitigated wetland, and create and maintain a woodland habitat.
Engstrom Lake, a 23 acre (nine hectare) reclaimed mine pit, has already been planted with aquatic plants and serves as habitat to various species of fish, amphibians and wading birds. A 32 acre (13 hectares) wetland, in which 500 students planted trees and herbaceous plants, is now also part of the Engstrom Outdoor Classroom.
School students and the local community college are working with conservation partners on several projects to restore additional areas of habitat around Engstrom Lake ? while learning about the Green Swamp natural area in which they live. The students originally assisted in planting projects to restore the lake banks and to create a natural habitat for wildlife; they are now working on projects including reforesting a pine flatwood ecosystem, controlling invasive species and monitoring wildlife.
A portable classroom was acquired from the local school system, and students use writing, art, poetry and scientific study to gain an in depth understanding of the habitat. They are applying classroom concepts to a real world environment in preparation for their final exams.
