OREANDA-NEWS. Heathrow has been awarded The Wildlife Trust's Biodiversity Benchmark Award for a sixth year in a row.

The UK's hub is the only airport to have been given this award. Heathrow actively manages around 100 hectares across 13 sites for nature conservation, including four reserve areas that are open for local people to enjoy.

The Wildlife Trust independently judges more than 40 organisations' commitments to biodiversity, visiting each site and measuring their compliance with stringent environmental requirements. Heathrow was awarded the Biodiversity Benchmark for its continued commitment to biodiversity - keeping a close eye on a wide variety of species in the area and managing the land to support them. The Princes Lakes were also commended for their potential for improvements to wildlife and habitats.

Heathrow is a founding supporter of the Colne Valley Park Community Interest Company, providing valuable habitats for protected wildlife as well as important community facilities. Heathrow's work also involves encouraging community volunteering and environmental education.

Sustainability Director Matt Gorman said “We are delighted to have been recognised for our continued commitment to biodiversity around Heathrow and winning the award six years running is an achievement we are really proud of. We are committed to running Heathrow responsibly and continually building on our success.”

Heathrow recently won a Sustainability Leaders Award for the new Terminal 2 and was named 'Champion of Champions', winning four International Green Apple Awards for Environmental Best Practice and Sustainable Development. These awards reflect Heathrow's continued commitment to enhancing the local, regional and national economic and social benefits of the airport. The UK's hub works with more than 320 businesses to establish innovative solutions and operating procedures needed to improve environmental performance.