Another Reason to Visit Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve
24 August 2010
A new garden at Testwood Lakes Centre has been created by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust volunteers, providing an additional safe and exciting discovery area for visiting schools and community groups to enjoy.
The garden design has incorporated disabled access, the specially selected plants and herbs will stimulate the senses, and wildlife friendly plants, shrubs and trees will attract insects, birds and small mammals. The garden will provide an area for both casual visitors and centre visitors alike. It is sustainable too, with much of the wood used for the planters being recycled from other projects.
Wildlife Trust Education Officer, Sam Dawson enthused about the garden's potential ‘It will complement our existing ‘Water Saving' garden and on busy days with 60 school children on site and adult groups using the conference room, it will provide a much welcomed outside space available for breaks, lunches and learning! We really want to thank all those people who have helped to make the garden a reality'.
Testwood Lakes ‘Friends of' group were awarded a ‘One Planet Living Grant' from B&Q, Nursling, which provided materials for hard landscaping. Plants to fill the raised beds were donated by Hilliers Nurseries Ltd and help with the cost of Natural Stone Paving for wheelchair access was received from Elliots Ltd of Totton. The Testwood volunteers put in many hours of turf moving, digging, planting and carpentry work, and the Lower Test Volunteer Team helped by sourcing and transporting the natural centre piece to the new garden.
In the next six months, it is hoped that the garden will come alive with decorations made by our regular children and adult groups with structures, sculptures and mosaics celebrating the garden's ‘Gardening for Wildlife' theme. The Centre has also been awarded a ‘Wildlife Friendly' Gardening award. For more information on how to enter your own garden for an award go to http://www.hwt.org.uk/.
Ends
Photo opportunity
Attached photo shows Wildlife Trust volunteers finishing part of the new garden at Testwood Lakes
For additional images or to arrange photography, please contact:
Samantha Dawson, Education Officer, 02380 667929
Notes to Editors
For further information please contact:
Samantha Dawson, Education Officer, 02380 667929, samanthad@hwt.org.uk
Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve, off Brunel Road, Calmore Industrial Estate, Totton (Map ref: SU 348 158)
Tel: 02380 667929
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust strives to create a better future for wildlife and wild places in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It is the leading wildlife charity in the counties of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and is part of a nationwide network of 47 local charities. We work together to create a better future for wildlife and wild places in the UK. With the support of our 27, 000 members, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust is taking effective action to protect our natural heritage, helping it to flourish again. Find out more at http://www.hwt.org.uk/
