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Creating opportunities for families to work together on projects which will enrich their lives, is one of the best ways of getting people interested in their own environment. The Prudential Grass Roots project in Reading has reached out to schoolchildren who have encouraged their parents to get involved, helping to raise awareness of the value of conservation to the wider community. Although it is generally considered an affluent town situated at a prime location along the busy M4 corridor, there are several areas within Reading suffering levels of deprivation which are above the national average. This project has helped to stimulate a creative approach to community action that has resulted in a significant contribution to the environment and sustainable development. The Grass Roots Programme, run by BTCV and funded by Prudential, worked with over 80 school children and their parents to create new environmental and educational features at three schools in Reading. Hands on practical guidance has been provided by BTCV. At Reading's GreenPark business complex, owned by Prudential, a nature trail has been designed as a fun and stimulating way to teach children about wildlife and the environment. As creative ideas evolved to become a practical reality, children and parents were inspired by this project. The nursery garden has been divided in two areas: the 'natural environment' and the 'urban environment'. Colourfully painted stepping-stones now provide a path to a wildflower meadow where special habitat piles have been built to attract insects and Buddleia bushes to tempt butterflies back into the area. The urban environment developed an original 'road' feature in the grounds by adding a log train and parents created the designs for a pond mosaic, featuring Nemo the fish, so that children could enjoy a virtual underwater experience at break times. A large, previous unused wooded area in the school grounds now has a fenced off area which has been transformed into an aquatic haven for frogs, toads and newts. BTCV staff worked with parents and children to create the pond and a raised vegetable bed for a gardening club. Wildflowers have been planted and the wood already existing in the area was used to create habitat piles for insects, amphibians and small mammals. The GreenPark nature trail has a host of natural features and is home to a variety of plants, insects and wildlife. The creation of a nature trail has provided benefits to the wider community and schools who can now use it to learn more about the abundance of wildlife in an area close to their homes. Specially produced leaflets and an educational activity pack provide teachers with a ready made lesson plan which fits effortlessly into the Natural Curriculum. All content copyright © 1986-2008 BTCV Ltd. Registered charity No. 261009 |
