ECO-FRIENDLY youngsters helped create new homes for newts and other pond wildlife by planting hundreds of aquatic plants.
The Eco Club from Arden Academy headed to the ponds at Bridge Meadow Drive to take part in the final stage of a project that has seen extensive restoration works on the ponds and feeder stream.
The works were part of a series of open space improvements to grassland, woodland and wetland habitats for a Wildlife Ways Small Habitats project – Newts and Shoots.
The project which was dreamed up by Solihull Council’s Conservation of the Historic Environment, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and Ecology (CLAUDE) team was part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Work including de-silting the ponds, coppicing several trees and pruning overhanging branches was carried out by contractors Ebsford Environmental.
The Eco Club were keen to lend a hand in the final stages to not only develop their gardening skills but also learn how the plants could become home to protected species like the great crested newt.
Councillor Andy Mackiewicz, Solihull Council’s cabinet member for Climate Change, Planning and Housing, said: “The council’s Wildlife Ways project has made a huge difference to Solihull, increasing biodiversity and habitats for local wildlife and also making the borough even better for residents and visitors.
“Although the Wildlife Ways project has come to an end now, it continues to support small environmental projects such as the pond at Bridge Meadow Drive through Small Habitats Grants.
“Pupils at the local schools have been involved in this project since the start and have learned a great deal about the environment while caring for it.”
