School Boosts Biodiversity With Support From Community Council

Pupils at Nant Celyn Primary School in Cwmbran have planted insect friendly fruit trees and wildflowers to boost biodiversity in their school yard. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The children from year six planted apple and pear trees and a mixture of colourful wildflowers, which were supplied by Cwmbran Community Council. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

They have also been learning about the importance of pollinating insects to the food chain, and have created new habitats in the form of ‘bug hotels’ made from logs. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Head girls Holly Greening and Amy Jones said: ‘We’re really happy to have these seeds and trees planted here today. It’s been fun to learn about the importance of pollination and bees and other insects, but also how they help us live our lives.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Kebba Manneh, chairman of Cwmbran Community Council, said: “We are delighted to be able to support this project. The wildflowers and fruit trees will help the children to improve the school’s green spaces, support pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and provide fruit to the pupils each year. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The community council is keen to help other groups in the community to make a real difference to their local environment. If anyone has an idea then I would urge them to get in touch with us to discuss it and see how we may be able to help.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​