Member Article

Wildlife Workshops for Bournemouth school children thanks to housebuilder

School children in Bournemouth have been receiving tips on how to look after their local wildlife and environment, thanks to David Wilson Homes.

Pupils at The Epiphany School in Muscliff took a visit to Farrier Place in Poole for a Wildlife Workshop arranged by the leading developer. And the interactive session, designed to share David Wilson’s commitment to protecting wildlife and to promote the importance of sustainability, was a great success.

The housebuilder, which is bringing new homes to Dorset, organised the child-friendly workshop, in partnership with the RSPB, and the session was hosted by one of David Wilson’s contractors, landscaper Jake Smith from JS Landscapes.

Jake explained how David Wilson is building wildlife-friendly developments across the region and passed on handy tips, all while planting sunflowers with the Bournemouth schoolchildren. Each child was also given their very own branded goody bag, complete with watering can, trowel, planter tray and an individual pack of sunflower seeds, along with a colouring book from the RSPB.

Epiphany School Headteacher, Vanessa Webster, said it was a fantastic addition to her children’s learning and has inspired the creation of a large-scale bug hotel built in the school grounds including a curiosity corner with natural ‘treasures’ found by the children.

She said: “Being able to take a group on site for this one-off workshop, has been of great benefit to each and every one of our school children. They especially loved hearing about how they could help by encouraging wildlife into their own gardens.

“We always try to communicate the advantages of looking after our planet, especially with climate change being such an important subject at present, and these Workshops have been a great addition to the school’s curriculum. A huge thank you to David Wilson Homes and Jake.”

Anthony Dimmick, David Wilson Homes Community Liaison Officer, said the interactive sessions gave the housebuilder the perfect space to highlight its priorities over and above providing homes for local people.

He said: “With much of the UK’s wildlife in trouble, David Wilson is committed to not only providing homes for people across the region, but also for wildlife. And, with the developer continually taking steps to reduce its impact on the environment, it also wanted to share this ‘greener’ attitude with the next generation.

“Along with the RSPB, we are thrilled to offer these workshops to local schools in the area.”

The RSPB and Barratt Homes have been working together since 2014 to show how new homes can help nature and support wildlife.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by David Wilson Homes .