ecoclub@bushloe

Ok, so no posts here for the past couple of weeks but that doesn’t mean nothing has been happening. In fact things have been really busy. In Eco Club we have been thinking about the sorts of species that we are trying to attract to our school grounds and writing “spotters guides” so we will know what we are looking at when we see it. Eco Club have also been very busy with the recycling and composting rotas.

Last week also saw an exciting new development as we planted another 6 trees, this time Oaks, at the back of the school (see above). Each Oak stands at over 2m tall and they have been generously donated to the school. In time these trees will provide shelter to our school as well as creating a diverse and rich habitat.

The same week also saw the fifth meeting of our Eco Action Team. It was a useful meeting at which the new Action Plan was discussed. Future plans include extending recycling and looking at energy use in our building. It was also decided to make our application for our first Eco Schools Green Flag Award, this will be discussed fully at our next (sixth) meeting.

It seems a good time to reflect on our progress so far. After a great start in 2006, last year was a quiet one for Eco Club as we settled into our new building. It was also frustrating for us all to see the destruction of the old Eco Area with the old building and then be able to do so little towards replacing it. We were able to plan though and since September we have made huge progress with more to come over the coming months. So far we have established a paper recycling system and have begun composting while outside we have planted bulbs, twelve trees and several shrubs. We have built birdfeeders and raised the profile of environmental issues across the school. Still to come is our allotment area which is due to be built next month and plans for the new pond to be cleaned out and planted with native species. We are also hoping for funds for nest boxes and to establish an area of wildflower meadowland. Inside the building Staff continue to introduce more plants to “green up” our school while work is being done on an ethical purchasing policy. It is all excellent progress but demands more effort than ever from us all to keep it going. A huge well done to all of you who have been involved in these schemes, we are already seeing the results!