Children of primary school age often possess energy and enthusiasm beyond their years. At Middlesbrough Erimus rotary we are linking some of our ‘inner city’ schools to an environment initiative designed to channel that youthful positivity toward pollinators .
Last autumn we visited five Primary and one Secondary school ,one adult training centre and a workmen’s club. Working with them we laid strips of Terram over the ground to remove the grass cover safely.
Over the past week our teams have returned to the first four schools where we were warmly welcomed. The Terram is removed and the ground hoed and raked before ‘Wildflower Mats’ are laid on the bare surface. The next step is to spread a compost mix by hand over the mats covering every square inch - the part our pupil partners loved most! A watering can then ensures the compost is thoroughly wetted before we plant a Buddleia Bush on each corner of the strip. This will hopefully ensure that other pupils keep off the planting until the progress of Spring and a warming sun brings the Magic of Nature to our open air classroom. We anticipate Buddleias often known as the Butterfly Bush will bring the first pollinators along.
By midsummer it is our hope that the centre of Middlesbrough will have at least five oases of Pollinator Power showing children the Magic of Nature in their own school grounds. Pictures show children at several of the schools getting stuck in and thoroughly enjoying a ‘Hands on ‘ Nature Lessons.