Thirty birdhouses, bat boxes and bug hotels donated by Lindum Group and painted by local schoolchildren are being installed at Whisby Natural World Centre to support conservation.
Lindum commissioned Lincoln social enterprise Pelican Trust to make the wildlife habitats from sustainable timber, which were decorated by pupils from The South Hykeham Community Primary School.
We have partnered with environmental social enterprise Hill Holt Wood, of Norton Disney, to arrange phased installation that won’t disturb birds currently nesting.
All boxes are due to be in place by the start of the school summer holidays.
Lilly Rayney, seven, said she had a lot of fun decorating her birdbox.
“I painted butterflies on my birdbox and did papier-mâché on top,” she said. “It’s been a lot of fun. I really enjoyed the painting.”
Classmate Olly McGill, also seven, said: “It’s been nice to do something to help where birds nest.”
Years 1&2 teacher Katy Eacott said: “It is great to be involved in an outdoor project in a nature environment and we linked it to our science learning. It was a fantastic opportunity for the children to get creative – the boxes are really, really individual and the children thoroughly enjoyed decorating them.”
The project comes after we replaced decking at Whisby Natural World Centre and resurfaced the lake path at Millennium Green, North Hykeham, for North Kesteven District Council.
Janet Lewis, general manager at Whisby Natural World Centre, said: “The bird and bat boxes and bug hotels are a fantastic addition to our updated Little Darters Outdoor Play Area. Well done and a big thank you to all involved.”
Jade Nelson, Lindum Divisional Framework Administrator, said: “It was lovely to see the smiles on the children’s faces and how excited they were to be involved.
“I’m sure the new wildlife accommodation will help support the conservation of birds, bats and insects and make a big contribution to biodiversity.
“As a local contractor, we are committed to leaving a positive legacy in communities where we work. We have also partnered with Pelican Trust and NKDC to deliver a new interpretation board at Millennium Green.”
