Children from Studley Green Primary School in Trowbridge are embracing nature this year at a local community garden as part of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s Nextdoor Nature project.
Nextdoor Nature aims to unite communities in nurturing local gardens and green spaces to support wildlife. As part of this initiative, members of the Eco Team from Years 3 to 6 at Studley Green Primary are making regular visits to the nearby community garden at Manor Court, a sheltered housing complex managed by Selwood Housing.
Will Orr, Assistant Headteacher of Studley Green Primary School, expressed his delight, stating, “It’s been a real pleasure to see the Eco Team working with Manor Court residents on the Nextdoor Nature project. The children are not only having fun, but also learning valuable skills like identifying plants and creating wildlife-friendly areas which will make a positive impact within the community.”
Over six scheduled visits between February and July, the children are engaging in various activities to enhance the garden for wildlife. These activities include planting seed trays, crafting bird feeders, sowing wildflowers, transplanting seeds into the garden, and constructing a hedgehog house. Additionally, they are learning about butterfly and bee conservation, wildlife spotting and identifying, nature arts and crafts, and going on scavenger hunts.
Guiding the activities is Sue Deedigan from Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, who attends each session to provide guidance and educate the children on the importance of supporting nature. Each session focuses on different themes, covering topics such as the significance of wildflower meadows, methods to support pollinators, and understanding hedgehog habitats. The children are encouraged to explore the community garden hands-on, discover insects, and learn about diverse wildlife species.
Residents of Manor Court are encouraged to participate in each session and join in the fun.
Sue Deedigan of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust remarked, “The Nextdoor Nature project is all about helping people to understand what wildlife and nature need to thrive and how people can do that in their own communities. Being outside in nature is great for wellbeing, and it’s lovely to see the elderly residents and the children working together and sharing ideas.”
Staff from Selwood Housing are also actively involved in the activities, from digging wildflower beds to constructing hedgehog houses.
Vivienne Woodford, sheltered housing coordinator at Selwood Housing, commented, “It is so lovely to see the children and residents working together and sharing their knowledge of nature. The enthusiasm of the children is contagious and is great for the wellbeing of everyone that participates, while also enhancing the gardens at Manor Court for all to enjoy.”
Residents of Manor Court are already witnessing the benefits of the garden improvements and are enjoying watching birds visit the garden to enjoy the new bird feeders.
