Extracting aggregates and producing materials to build our infrastructure is often thought not to be compatible with protecting nature and ecological initiatives. That can not be further from the truth at our Dufferin Aggregates Paris Pit where our environment and operation teams work hand in hand on all types of projects, from mining to hydrogeology to biodiversity.
Since opening in 2010, the DFA Paris Pit has prioritized the establishment of ecological enhancement areas on lands not designated for extraction. These initiatives are designed to restore native habitats, improve water quality, and foster biodiversity, all while complementing the surrounding landscape.
Wetland Planting for Water Quality
DFA has graded the source water pond to create shallows and has planted native wetland species such as cattails and manna grass to naturally remove nitrates from groundwater, a common issue stemming from local agricultural activities, which will improve the overall water quality in the watershed.
Restoration of Native Grasslands
Native grasslands have been established near natural wetlands, using species that predate European settlement. These grasslands now serve as critical habitat for pollinators, ground nesting birds, and various wildlife species.
Pollinator Plots
Special pollinator plots have been developed with a focus on supporting Monarch butterflies, a threatened species, by planting nectar and host plants they rely on.
Turtle Nesting Areas
DFA has created and actively protects turtle nesting plots, safeguarding nests from predators and contributing to the survival of local turtle populations.
As part of our efforts to monitor the natural environment we built, educate our staff and gain more knowledge, we have recently decided partnered with rare, a local land trust and environmental institute, to develop and implement monitoring protocols for all ecological enhancement zones.
As part of our partnership, established in 2025, the rare team will be working closely with our employees at the Dufferin Aggregates Paris Site through training and volunteering. This partnership will not only bring additional support to our biodiversity management team at the site but further impact our sustainability goals at CRH Canada.
Following the training provided by rare in 2025 the DFA staff now collect data on butterfly populations and, as of 2026, also monitor plant species, especially those vital to Monarch butterflies.
Furthermore, after only a few visits at our sites, the rare team has developed this plant and butterfly identification guide specific to the biodiversity at Paris that shows what they have been able to observe, and what staff and visitors could expect when coming to Paris.
rare is a community-based land trust and environmental institute dedicated to protecting over 1,500 acres of environmentally sensitive land across Waterloo Region and Wellington County in Ontario. They focus on protecting and restoring these lands to their natural state, through research and educating the community.
The ecological enhancement initiatives are not just beneficial for wildlife; they also enrich the daily environment at DFA Paris. Today, we can observe and appreciate the results of these projects and the Paris Pit has become one of the DFA sites where we bring internal and external stakeholders to showcase the work, we do on biodiversity management.
One can frequently observe deer, sandhill cranes with their young, bluebirds, tree swallows, owls, and many other species from the office and boardroom, showcasing the project’s direct biodiversity impact.
To learn about Our Sustainability Framework at CRH Canada and how we are advocating for our planet’s future, visit Sustainability at CRH Canada.
