Sustainability

In 2011, the Lafarge Pipe Plant in Calgary, Alberta donated five pieces of reinforced concrete pipe to the Calgary Zoo to serve a truly unique purpose - as a nesting ground for King Penguins.

When in their natural habitat, penguins prefer to nest in small burrows under rocks and bushes. In order to recreate this habitat at their new exhibit, the Calgary Zoo turned to 450 mm diameter reinforced concrete pipe to provide a suitably safe burrow.

The concrete pipe has already been cut and bedded within a hillside at the exhibit. It is hoped that when the exhibit opens this winter, the penguins will immediately find the pipe comfortable enough for their nesting grounds and begin to reproduce. While penguin habitats are likely not a new emerging market, this endearing use of concrete pipe serves as a shining example of the product's versatility.

FAST FACT
The Lafarge Pipe Operation located in Calgary, AB, is proud to be a selected as one of four Calgary area biodiversity sites. Biodiversity refers to the diverse spectrum of plants, animals, and even microorganisms in the natural environment. Given the Pipe Operation's location along the Bow River, biodiversity at this site is of particular importance and care.

Biodiversity initiatives at the Pipe Operation include:

• Bat boxes
• Erecting a nesting platform for eagles
• Planting a native pollinator garden
• Building nesting boxes for song birds
• Arranging brush piles for small mammals
• Tree wrapping for protection from beavers