Volunteers at Cummins Turbo Technologies captured a wealth of wildlife from hidden cameras on the banks of the River Colne adjoining their site. This is just one of many projects they are working on to support EPIKS in the development of a Huddersfield Riverside Nature Park.
Isabel Dawson from the Cummins TT Sustainability Team told us about the project:
‘Cummins Turbo Technologies (CTT) is nestled between the River Colne and the Huddersfield Broad Canal within the industrial area of the town centre on St Andrews Road, a position it has retained over a period of 70 years.
Cummins Inc very much cares about its local environment and within its PLANET 2050 strategy. It is committed to ensuring that both the Cummins site and the communities in which it operates are improved by our working practices and our EEEC (Every Employee Every Community) programme.
Learn more here – Planet 2050 | Cummins Inc.
Understanding the local biodiversity in which we share our land is the first key step in creating a supportive long-term plan, a plan which is developed and managed alongside community partners who understand these areas best, as we combine efforts to help our local river systems thrive. CTT and Environmental Projects in Kirklees (EPIKS) are currently working to evolve the 3 Nature Valley Park concept which is established to recognise, support and develop our bordering river connection within many areas including biodiversity, vegetation and waste management, infrastructure support and investment within renewable applications. By starting with a Riverside Nature Park in Huddersfield, we can set a precedent for a wider 3 Valleys Nature Park.
Learn more here – 3 Valleys Nature Park | EPIKS – Environmental Projects In Kirklees
To appreciate the biodiversity we have on our doorstep, the site environment team has recently initiated the placement of two wildlife cameras on the riverbank. The team has been astonished with result. Considering that the facility is positioned within a central and industrial section of bustling town. Over a two-month period the cameras have captured a variety of species from foxes, frogs, falcons, kingfishers, dippers and roe deer. Images of some of the findings can be seen below.
It is extremely pleasing to see such biodiversity benefiting from our river network and helps us recognize why we should work to protect this natural asset which harnesses and supports so much life. Our newfound understanding of our adjoining river network would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the support, time and effort of our employees and their commitment to this project, all site employees are encouraged to commit time annually to community projects in areas of social equality, education, and environment, this project was one of many options available but was selected as an area of interest for Mark Crowson and Andrew O’Donoghue and we thank them greatly.
As a site we are committed to assess and support the health of our local river network and very much encourage everybody to help do their bit in order to protect the inherited environment for ourselves, our biodiversity and that of the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.
Hopefully we have lots more amazing results to share with you all soon.’
New sightings 12th October 2022: Badger, stoat(unconfirmed), dipper, owl (unconfirmed)
CTT staff regularly assist EPIKS to clear rubbish from the River Colne in Huddersfield. Here they are in Earth Week 2022 clearing up their own stretch of riverbank.
