NEW WILDLIFE HAVEN FOR SOUTH WOODCHESTER SCHOOL
Tuesday 31st January 2012
Trust volunteers coppicing wood on Siccaridge nature reserve.
Pupils in Stroud are learning about wildlife on their doorstep thanks to a new nature area which has been created with the help of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.
The conservation charity worked together with Stroud Beekeepers’ Association to provide the wildlife haven at St. Dominic’s Catholic Primary School in South Woodchester.
Ellen Winter, the Trust’s Stroud Community Wildlife Officer said: “The new nature area is limestone grassland that is currently home to wildflowers, moles and bats. The school has so far planted a small orchard, made a bog garden, and the beekeepers association use the area to train children in how to keep bees.”
The haven will be looked after by the school’s nature club, junior bee keepers and will be used as an outdoor classroom by the entire school.
provides a fantastic opportunity for children
Margaret Smith, Head Teacher at St Dominic’s School said: “The nature area provides a fantastic opportunity for children to work alongside the wider community and become inspired by the wonders of our natural environment.”
A new fence to protect the area has been built with wood from the Trust’s Siccaridge Wood nature reserve, near Sapperton. The wood to create the fence was coppiced at the first of two Conservation Taster Days held by the Trust.
The Trust’s next Conservation Taster Day is on Sunday 5th February at Siccaridge Wood nature reserve. To take part, or to get involved in other local volunteering days, call 01452 383333.
Find out more about volunteering.
Find out more about how to get your school involved.
Tagged with: Beehive, Community, Nature area, Orchard, School, Stroud