Plymstock’s Journey of Wilding: A Blossoming Adventure

Last month, the wilding council at Plymstock Secondary School made significant strides in their wilding project by having asuccessful workshop with our Wilding Project Assistant, Mariana and Fiona from the Devon Wildlife Trust. The session was a hit – there was cake, plenty of plans and some fascinating props that Fiona brought along!

The day began with a walk around the school to assess the potential for wilding initiatives. The school grounds are a perfect foundation for wilding - offering a mix of quiet spaces fo wildlife to thrive away from the bustling student areas and lovely green spots that can bring nature into students’ break times.

The Wilding Plan Session

The wilding plan session, co-delivered by staff from SOS-UK and the local Wildlife Trusts included:

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- Habitat Mapping Recap

- Learning About Local Wildlife

- Beginning Initial Plans for Wilding the School Grounds

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The session was lively and engaging. Plymstock super-staff Danny and Claire ensured the students were enthusiastic participants starting off by supplying a range of delicious treats – brownies, cakes and juices! Energised by the goodies, the wilding council dived into the activities. Fiona captivated the students with an array of interesting items she had gathered from her work at the Wildlife Trust – feathers skulls and a dormouse box, which the students really enjoyed learning about.

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The habitat mapping recap was challenging at times due to the school’s large grounds and the learning curve of the Nature Park habitat mapping tool. Nevertheless, the council successfully recorded various habitats from the impermeable surfaces of the school’s court to quieter areas filled with a mix of trees, hedges, bushes, wildflowers and various raised beds at the centre of the school.

Learning about Local Wildlife

Fiona then shared insights about local wildlife and any target species in the area. She talked about the various species of bats around woodlands and water bodies, kingfishers along rivers and streams such as the River Plym, Tawny and Barn Owls often heard at night in wooded areas and various butterfly species found in gardens and meadows. She also mentioned dragonflies and damselflies especially near water bodies, as well as the diverse marine life in Devon’s coastal rock pools including crabs, starfish, anemones and fish. Fiona’s stories highlighted Plymouth’s status as a wildlife hotspot and Plymstock’s potential to be a crucial wildlife corridor and a mini safe haven!

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Planning for the Future

The session ended with a productive group discussion. Mike, the premises manager provided valuable insights into the possible maintenance of future wilding plans. There was enthusiastic talk about creating habitats for hedgehogs and insects, building a pond, planting wildflower meadows and collaborating with the DT department to make bird boxes and vegetable patches.

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We are confident that Plymstock will benefit greatly from these wilding plans and look forward to seeing their progress. The enthusiasm and dedication from everyone involved promises a bright, green future for the school! 

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The work of Green Schools Revolution is made possible by the generosity of the #iwill Fund, a joint investment from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) which supports young people to access high quality social action opportunities.

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