YOUNG environmentalists have teamed up with a housing developer to create a refuge for animals during the colder months.
Twelve pupils from years 4 and 5 at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School created hibernaculum that animals use in the winter to keep warm.
Built for AJC Group’s Lindsay Oaks development in Lindsay Road, Branksome, the children rolled up their sleeves to build the wildlife haven and learn about biodiversity.
Under the guidance of AJC Group’s construction team, the children worked together to build the hibernaculum using sustainable materials and eco-friendly practices.
The hibernaculum will serve as a permanent feature of the new housing development, providing a valuable home for local wildlife for years to come.
A hibernaculum is an underground wildlife habitat that creates a safe insulated space for amphibians, reptiles and hedgehogs to hibernate throughout the winter months.
Nicky O’Donoghue, deputy head of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, said the pupils have a “great time” and got “stuck in”.
She said: “They loved getting crafty and painting some rocks to decorate the top of the habitat as well planting some wildflower seeds, and a particular highlight was watching the digger finish off covering the hibernaculum.
“The children absolutely loved it and were telling the other children all about it when we got back to school.
“AJC Group also kindly ran an assembly for us earlier in the week, to educate the whole school on the importance of creating a habitat for local wildlife.
“We learnt that a hole filled with layers of rocks, logs, broken bricks and unused drainpipes provides safe access and lots of nooks and crannies for a variety of native species to take refuge.”
Natalie Gomez, client relations manager at AJC Group, added: “We would like to thank the pupils at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School for creating this amazing wildlife habitat for Lindsay Oaks.
“Following the activity we donated some of the materials we used on the day to one of the year 3 classes, so they could build their own hibernaculum on the school field.
“We hope this inspires and encourages the children to also enjoy eco-focussed activities at home.”
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