A project aimed at connecting more young people with wildlife and encouraging them to engage with nature has been launched in north Wales.
Year eight science students at Darland High School in Rossett got to make bird feeders and local MP Ian Lucas was given a bird box to put up in the school grounds to mark the roll-out of the UK-wide bird box education project into Wales.
BASC’s project aims to connect young people with wildlife by helping them put up their own birdboxes and watching the results. The birdboxes highlight BASC’s commitment to conservation and education.
Darland High School follows a number of other schools around the rest of the UK who have put up birdboxes and learnt about the types of birds that will potentially call the box their home.
BASC-branded bird boxes have also been given to MPs from a range of parties during visits from BASC political officers aimed at improving engagement and discussing conservation projects in their areas.
Sian Smith, BASC’s political officer for Wales, said: “We are thrilled to be working with staff and pupils at Darland on this wildlife project which highlights our contribution to conservation.
“As well as aiding conservation efforts, the initiative aims to connect more young people with wildlife by helping them engage with nature by making and putting up their own feeders and birdboxes.
“This year BASC has taken part in several school visits around the country to further our outreach and discuss how shooting and conservation go hand-in-hand.
“I am delighted that Ian Lucas was able to attend to officially launch BASC’s initiative in Wales.”
Mr Lucas said: “It was a pleasure to visit Darland High School and join pupils in working on bird feeders and bird boxes. I take a keen interest in conservation and it was good to be involved in a project which engages young people with wildlife and encourages them to connect with nature. I’d like to thank BASC for arranging the visit.”
Joanne Lee, headteacher at Darland High School, said: “We are very excited to be leading on this project. Darland High School is the perfect school for such an initiative, our extensive green site hosts a vast number of different species of birds.
“To have the opportunity to work with the team from BASC is important.
“It not only enthuses pupils about conservation, but teaches them scientific skills and techniques that are used in the industry. I will be watching with enthusiasm as the project develops. Pupils were thrilled to meet with Ian Lucas our MP and show off what they had learnt.”