Wildlife conservation charity, Froglife has now completed a programme of work to create a wildlife area around an existing pond, with a £500 grant awarded by the WestRaven Big Local Community Grant at the WestRaven community garden in Ravensthorpe.
The creation of the wildlife area and pond area (additional larger pond is part of future work due to take place later this year) is a valuable asset to the community garden by providing an educational tool for local residents and other users of the garden including young people taking part in Froglife’s BBC Children in Need funded Green Pathways project. Froglife aims to teach as many people as possible about the extensive biodiversity and benefits of a simple garden pond and providing habitats for local wildlife.
Green Pathways is a youth project providing practical outdoor activities with young people aged 5-18 in Peterborough, Northamptonshire and the Fenland district. The project supports those with extra difficulties in their lives to improve green spaces for wildlife and people; and learn about and enjoy the environment.
By raising awareness of ponds and demonstrating what a great feature they are in a garden Froglife aims to inspire local people to create their own ponds at home. Froglife also hope to encourage people to get outside and become more active, as this has proven to reduce stress, improve mental health and enhance fitness. This project will benefit local residents as well as teaching good habits to the next generation for a healthier future.
The funds awarded have been used to buy materials to make wildlife homes, provide additional fencing, and enhance the existing fencing around the pond site. It has also been used to purchase two benches so people can sit and relax and enjoy this much improved area. The construction and painting of the wildlife homes, bench and the fencing has all been carried out by young people on the Green Pathways project.
“The children have really enjoyed assembling the benches, and changing them from plain brown to the multi-coloured eye-catching design they are now” said their teacher Adam Billitt
“We got to use a saw and a drill to make a bird box which was great and then we painted pictures on that we thought would attract the birds” said one of the young people
“It’s great to teach the young people new skills and make a huge difference to wildlife and a community at the same time” said Froglife’s Learning Officer
To find out more about the Green Pathways Project visit: http://www.froglife.org/what-we-do/green-pathways/peterborough/