Green-fingered Madeley Academy students have made a positive difference to a local nature reserve as part of a volunteering project.

The group removed unwanted growth and waste from heathland at Manor Road Local Nature Reserve during a practical session organised by Buglife in partnership with Telford & Wrekin Council.

Clearing the site benefits the ground flora and creates an important habitat for pollinating insects.

During the activity students also took part in a Q and A session with the Council’s Environment Community Liaison Officer Rick Shaw and Emily Hughes from Buglife.

Students quizzed Rick about careers with the council which can help give more local areas back to nature while Emily spoke about how rewarding work is in the conservation sector.

Buglife is a charity dedicated to conservation, education and policy change to protect insects, bugs and wildlife.

All elements of the session were made as inclusive as possible using long reach tools (provided by ‘Green Spaces Are Go’) which meant attendees with limited mobility were also able to join in.

There are currently 14 active ‘friends of’ groups in Telford and Wrekin which support a wide range of voluntary activities in the borough’s parks and green spaces as well as local community events. Find out more here.