Info Hub / Case Studies / Butterfly Conservation volunteers creating new Wild Spaces in Gloucestershire- inspiring schools!
Gloucestershire
Volunteers from Butterfly Conservation’s Gloucestershire Branch have been working with Warden Hill Primary School to help their Ecoclub build a Wild Space.
The school were keen to engage pupils more with butterflies and moths, and to make it a more attractive area for butterflies and other pollinators.
An area was selected to create a mini meadow, with an cut and cleared to prepare for seed sowing. Volunteers from the Branch went into the school with Yellow Rattle seed, which we divided into 15 small pots. The children from the Ecoclub scratched up some turf to reveal bare soil on which they sprinkled the seed. Yellow Rattle is also known as the ‘meadow maker’ and will help reduce the vigour of the grasses, giving more space for native wildflowers to grow.
Since then, volunteers have taken native wildflower plants grown on from seed or dug up from their garden which into the school for the children to plant out.
The children were also treated to a session with Cinnabar caterpillars- They loved having the caterpillars crawling over their hands.
The school also participated in the Big Butterfly Count through a butterfly trail and were excited to see the contents of a moth trap with the Elephant Hawk Moth proving particularly popular.
“Our Eco Warriors enjoyed a wonderful lunchtime with Tricia from Butterfly Conservation, sowing seeds and planting pollinator friendly plants. These additions will enrich our Wildflower Meadow, creating vital habitats to support butterfly and moth populations, which are sadly in decline.
The children loved the chance to get hands on, discovering how small actions can make a big difference to the environment. Their enthusiasm was clear to see, with smiles all around as they worked together to nurture nature and help protect these important species.’’
To find out more visit:
http://www.gloucestershire-butterflies.org.uk
https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/about
https://wardenhill.gloucs.sch.uk/butterfly-conservation/
