Wildlife trust create nature haven at St. Dominics primary school (From Stroud News and Journal)

Wildlife trust create nature haven at St. Dominics primary school

1:00pm Wednesday 15th February 2012 in News By Crispin Northey, Reporter for Nailsworth, Minchinhampton and Painswick

A WILDLIFE haven has been created at St Dominic’s Primary School in Inchbrook near Nailsworth to help pupils learn about nature on their doorstep.

The area was created for the school’s nature club by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust in conjunction with Stroud Beekeepers’ Association.

It will also be used by the school’s junior beekeepers and as an outdoor classroom.

Headteacher Margaret Smith 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.

Ellen Winter, GWT’s Stroud community wildlife officer, said: "The new nature area is limestone grassland, home to wildflowers, moles and bats.

"The school has so far planted a small orchard, made a bog garden and the beekeepers association will use the area to train children in how to keep bees."