Schoolchildren grow habitats in wildlife project

Schoolchildren have transformed their outdoor space into a wildlife habitat.

West Cumbria Rivers Trust (WCRT) supported youngsters at Valley Primary School and Nursery in Whitehaven, where they have prepared a wildflower meadow, installed hedges and created bird boxes.

The scheme forms part of the Greener Grounds project, which works with schools to transform their playgrounds into "vibrant wildlife-friendly spaces".

Gabriella, 10, said she "couldn't wait to see what wildlife turns up, thanks to our hard work" while Olly, 11, said he had "learned how to use tools, how to look after the areas we've created and how to plant things".

WCRT said pupils, families, staff and the trust's volunteers and apprentices "all played a part" in building 20 bird boxes, a woodland path and planting 60m (196ft) of native hedgerow.

"We also have bug hotels currently being made by a craftsman and we are installing rain planters and a pond," Mia Ambrose, WCRT's learning and engagement officer, said.

The Greener Grounds project aims to engage children while creating natural spaces and reduce flooding on school grounds in west Cumbria.

Ambrose said she had worked with Valley Primary since September to plan and execute creative ideas based on "their quite wet grounds".

Year 6 teacher Ellen Brown said "the kids get so much out of it" and that they had "loved the opportunities they've been given, from working with the tools, making the plans and planting".

"They are also so excited about what they are working towards and the fact they will be leaving a lasting legacy on the school," she said.

"Their views have been taken into account and we are making outdoor areas that they are proud of."

The school's woodland, which was "completely overgrown", had also been turned into forest school space, Ambrose said.

Isaac, 11, said he "didn't realise there was so much we could do to help the animals".

He said he enjoyed building and painting bird boxes and was excited to see which birds visited them.

"It will be nice to know that we made something useful for the animals," he said.

Meanwhile, Xavier, 11, said seeing the forest school space being finished "makes me really proud, because we did that".

Gabriella said she had "learned lots" and it had been "interesting to find out that there is so much that we can actually do in school".

"I'm really hoping we will see some birds in the bird boxes before long and Mia told us that the trees we have planted will be good homes for insects and birds too," she added.

Olly, 11, said he like using the garden tools and "just loved being outside, I always feel better after we've been out and about".

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