Our Coast, Our Sea - Tarmac offers one school the chance of a lifetime

28 November 2011

Schools in the Region have the opportunity to become a wildlife haven following the launch of the ‘Win with Wildlife’ competition, which is being funded by Tarmac Ltd.

The UK’s leading quarrying and construction materials experts have joined forces with Northumberland Wildlife Trust to make one school’s wildlife dream a reality by offering up to £10,000* to turn their grounds into a spectacular site for wildlife, and it is so easy to take part!

Find out more and apply for an application pack before Friday 16 December by emailing: mail@northwt.org.uk or telephoning Tracy Evans, Northumberland Wildlife Trust People & Wildlife Officer on: 0191 284 6884.

Once registered, all a school needs to do is:

•Survey their school grounds to discover the species and habitats already there.

•Register free with the local Environmental Records and Information Centre (ERIC) at www.eyeproject.org.uk and upload the information about the species and habitats discovered in the school’s grounds.

•Get creative and produce an imaginative ‘Biodiversity Action Plan’ outlining how to protect the existing wildlife in their school grounds and how their grounds could be improved to attract more wildlife to the site. The plans could include improving existing habitats such as grasslands by adding a range of wild flowers, creating a wildlife pond or going ‘all out’ to create the ultimate wildlife garden.

Simon Phillips, Executive Director, North & Scotland Region Tarmac Ltd said: “Come on teachers, what are you waiting for? It’s not every day a school has the chance to work with a team of ground work and conservation experts such as ourselves and Northumberland Wildlife Trust and get a makeover on your school grounds totally free of charge; although I have a feeling we are going to have a very difficult job judging competition as I know from Northumberland Wildlife Trust that schools in
the region are passionate about helping wildlife.”

In addition to the winning school receiving their £10,000 worth of school grounds improvements, they and the two runners up will get an all-expenses paid trip to a working Tarmac quarry plus an all expenses paid trip to a Northumberland Wildlife Trust reserve for up 40 children.

*The £10,000 value comprises labour, materials and machinery from Tarmac Ltd. There is no cash equivalent.