Increasingly, the construction materials industry is beginning to put back some of what it takes. And the earth, resilient as she is, can be restored to her natural beauty from the helping hand of — yes — the aggregates industry. Cemstone is one such company leading by example.

Cemstone owns and operates several ready-mixed concrete plants and aggregate facilities in Minnesota, western Wisconsin and northern Iowa. The company says that commitment to the environment helps define its culture and guide its business. One of its recent endeavors is a prairie-restoration project that was accomplished by tapping into the enthusiasm of its own employees and the community — without digging into profits.

The daily operations of the company's Sachs Site in Farmington, Minn., are overseen by Aggregates Manager Eric Eckstrand who also is heavily involved with a local chapter of the conservation group Pheasants Forever. Eckstrand was able to bring these two entities together in order to breathe new life into a 10-acre plot of land at the entrance of the site.

This portion of the Cemstone property was unsuitable for mining or storing products. Historically, it had been leased to farmers growing corn feed. But that came to an end because of the trout in a nearby stream and concern for habitat, explains Alison Lehr, Cemstone environmental and safety coordinator.

“In the past, I am sure that it was over-farmed and the soil was depleted,” Lehr says.

The farmland is now gone and slowly being transformed into a 10-acre prairie, which is likely what it was before agriculture moved in. The project was completed in four days with minimal costs, Eckstrand says.

The land was turned over with a tractor and plow that was donated by local farmers. After the weeds started to return, the soil was again turned over, and the volunteers were ready to plant, Eckstrand says. The seeds for the native species making up the prairie were purchased with about $1,200 donated by Pheasants Forever.

Eckstrand says that some work remains for the future, but not too much. In a year, the field will likely be mowed down to 6 or 8 inches; some additional weeding and possibly over-seeding might be needed. A controlled burning also is in store for the property.

Fire is an element essential to the prairie ecosystem, Eckstrand explains. Hundreds of years ago, however, a lightning strike likely set it off. And the prairie would grow back stronger and greener.

Once the prairie is fully established, it will be maintenance-free. But the rewards to the environment and the company will continue. First, the entrance way will be aesthetically enhanced and serve as a buffer between the public and the operation, and remind the community that Cemstone is a responsible neighbor.

The restoration project also earned an award in recognition of excellence in a general environmental initiative project from the Aggregate and Ready Mix Association of Minnesota.

This award could serve as an additional public relations tool, but the real beneficiary is the wildlife that will take refuge in and near the habitat created. It presently supports waterfowl, a breeding pair of coyotes, mourning doves and a bald eagle.

The native plants and grasses will help prevent soil erosion and sedimentation of adjoining waterways. This is good news for trout in the nearby Vermillion River. There is growing concern that the temperature of storm-water runoff is rising and threatening the species as the area continues to develop.

But with the help of Cemstone and Pheasants Forever, the future welfare of those fish is a little more concrete.