Heidelberg Materials North America is proud to celebrate the Beyond Quarry Borders Award of the international Quarry Life Award 2025 competition — awarded to the Indiana Karst Conservancy for their study of the endangered Hoosier cavefish (Amblyopsis hoosieri) in historic Hamer Cave, Indiana.  Hamer Cave is located in Spring Mill State Park, which was in part created by a donation of nearly 260 acres by Lehigh Cement to the State of Indiana in 1928.  

The Quarry Life Award is a global biodiversity contest that drew more than 130 proposals from around the world, with 56 projects implemented onsite. This international platform highlights how mining sites can become hubs for ecological research and innovation.

Led by the IKC, the Hoosier cavefish project focuses on establishing a population baseline for this rare, blind species found only in southern Indiana. By comparing current data to historical records, the research guides future conservation strategies to protect fragile cave ecosystems in the proximity of Heidelberg Materials' Mitchell cement plant. For its achievement, IKC received a €10,000 prize, presented during the award ceremony in Heidelberg, Germany.

“The IKC being a part of the Quarry Life Award means our research effort at Hamer Cave is recognized on an international stage,” said Tom Sollman, Principal Researcher on the project. “It’s exciting to know that what we’re doing here in Indiana contributes to a global conversation about biodiversity and sustainability. This partnership shows how industry and conservation can work together to make a real difference.”

The project involved multiple IKC board members who assisted with surveys, data organization, outreach, and hosting local as well as international Heidelberg Materials staff for field tours — a true team effort that combined science and community engagement.

David Perkins, Senior Vice President of Sustainability & Public Affairs for Heidelberg Materials North America, said the award reflects the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship. “This project demonstrates how partnerships and science can help us protect biodiversity while operating responsibly,” said Perkins. “It’s a great example of how we’re working toward a nature-positive future.”

Since its launch in 2012, the Quarry Life Award has supported hundreds of projects worldwide. North America has a proud history of participation, with previous winners addressing pollinator habitats, water quality, and native plant restoration — each reinforcing our commitment to biodiversity and sustainable land use.

Learn more about this project and other Quarry Life Award initiatives at quarrylifeaward.com.