It’s time to celebrate spring and all the diverse nature that can be seen on active or restored Quarries and other Operational sites. From the last vestiges of frosty mornings and late Snowdrops to carpets of Bluebells, nesting birds and wildlife emerging after the winter break, please do send us your entries.  These can be images of species (both Fauna and Flora) and habitats (including their landscape setting) found on Operational Quarries, partly or fully restored sites.

You are welcome to send images from the sites that you might be entering for the 2015 MPA Biodiversity or MPA Restoration Awards. Sites included in the MPA National Nature Park map are also a potential source.

The competition is open until 1 September 2015 and any photographs entered must have been taken between 1 January 2014 and 31 August 2015 to allow all the seasons and different wildlife to be captured. Judges will include a panel of experts including representatives from Natural England and other nature conservation organisations.

Winners will be announced and images showcased at the MPA Restoration and Biodiversity Awards event in London in October 2015.

The first, second and third prizes will be vouchers for photographic equipment to the value of £500, £250 & £100.

It is planned to use the best 12 images in the MPA Nature Conservation calendar for 2016 as well as on the MPA website and Mineral Products Today magazine in order to promote the outstanding sustainability work of our industry.

You can enter a maximum of 5 images (between 1MB and 5MB each in size) which should be sent as separate emails direct to MPA at naturephotos15@mineralproducts.org