Ashington students using skills for conservation

Posted by The Journal on Sep 29, 09 04:37 PM in School news

A group of eight students from Ashington Community High School will be spending the autumn term working at two of Northumberland Wildlife Trust's busiest reserves.

The youngsters, all between 13 and 16 will spend every Tuesday helping with practical conservation tasks at the Trust's East Chevington and Druridge Pools reserves.

Ashington Community High School students helping at Northumberland Wildlife Trust

They will be the first of four groups to work with Alex Lister, estates officer with the Trust. During the 2009 to 2010 academic year Alex will hold 30 sessions and work with four groups within the High School.

During the autumn term, the students are timetabled to dig a new pond, install a gate, coppice a small area of woodland, restore a number of old drainage ditches, build a new stile and create a series of living willow screens around a bird table.

The work undertaken at East Chevington will complete the education area which is available to school and community groups for pond dipping, bird watching, mini beast hunting and other environmental activities.

Funding from the People's Postcode Lottery has helped with the purchase of tools, materials and wellies for the 30-week project.

Tony Hall, Ashington High School teacher said: "The first phase of the project is proving to be a great success. Northumberland Wildlife Trust has allowed the young people to have a totally new and enjoyable experience whilst at the same time, helping them acquire new skills and gain practical knowledge."

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