GREEN-FINGERED students from Westwood Academy in Canley have helped create a new wildlife haven for a retirement community in Coventry.
The pollinator friendly ‘pocket park’ at Tanyard Farm, Tile Hill, will encourage more wildlife to the area for residents and the wider community to enjoy.
Pupils dug the holes to plant a variety of perennial plants, raspberry canes and also mixed compost and soil.
The Warwickshire Wildlife Trust (WWT) educated the students on the different plants in the pocket park and how they benefited local wildlife.
As a thank you for their hard work, the students were given a ‘Wildlife Outside Your Window’ booklet and some wildflower seeds to sow.
The booklet was created by Tanyard Farm’s operators Orbit for its customers in collaboration with the wildlife trusts.
It is full of simple ideas and tips to support wildlife to thrive and improve outdoor spaces for everyone.
Simon Lieberman, Senior Placemaking and Partnerships Manager at Orbit, said: “We believe there are small steps we can all take as individuals to welcome wildlife into our local communities.
“The pocket park at Tanyard Farm will provide an environment for nature to thrive and increase the number of pollinators in the area, including bees and butterflies.
“Additionally, we hope the project will encourage residents to socialise outdoors, making it a space for people to improve their wellbeing and connect with nature.”
Vicky Dunne, Education Manager at the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, said: “The planting day at Tanyard Farm has been such a great opportunity for the students at Westwood Academy.
“The session was really hands-on, and the students could see the instant impact of their hard work.
“It is fantastic that they will be able to visit the Pocket Park again to see the fruits of their labour.
“Bringing different groups of people together to help create a shared place for nature is a wonderful thing.”
Orbit customers can request a free ‘Wildlife outside your window’ booklet and a packet of wildflower seeds here
