The UK’s first ever range of self-contained, integrated eco-systems have launched to help schools provide a boost to biodiversity in their local community and inspire children to protect nature.

A range of landmark habitats has been created by BioScapes®, a part of the Rolawn Group, one of the country’s longest established and leading suppliers of topsoil and turf.

Through the launch of its new products, BioScapes aims to become a leading force in helping schools and other organisations tackle modern biodiversity challenges. BioScapes® has launched the NatureArk® and BioCube®. These products will help to directly offset the negative impact of biodiversity loss.

The passing of the Environment Act into UK law this year1 holds community organisations, businesses and consumers accountable in their efforts to improve air quality and biodiversity as well as water waste reduction by 2030. This has therefore brought the topic of biodiversity into sharper focus for schools, both in terms of the organisations’ own responsibilities and opportunities, and the associated educational opportunities.

With fifty years’ worth of experience in innovation in the field and the help of expert ecologists to call on, BioScapes® has conducted extensive research and made significant investments over the course of four years to produce this range of products that will make it simple for schools to invest in making a positive impact on biodiversity and support forest school projects.

A key commitment in the Government’s twenty-five-year Environment Plan is encouraging children to be close to nature benefiting their health and wellbeing. Alongside direct learning opportunities in-line with the new curriculum, getting closer to nature can boost attainment and benefits wider transferable skills.

The NatureArk® provides a combination of wet and dry habitats, supporting the process of rewilding through the development of ecosystems which encourage small mammals, amphibians, insects, micro-organisms, other invertebrates and plants to thrive.

These can be easily installed on school premises and by doing so schools are providing a notable boost to the natural habitat and getting children invested in biodiversity from an early age.

The NatureArk® has already been successfully implemented by six schools in Yorkshire and Northeast England: Wilberfoss Primary, Adelaide Primary, Brandon Primary, Oakley Primary, Seascape Primary and Riverside Community Special school, all producing fantastic results.

Charlotte Pemberton, assistant head at Wilberfoss Primary, said2: “The installation went really well, and the children haven’t stopped talking about it. They have taken real ownership, from adding the soil to planting the wildflower plugs, with the children all working well together.

“We have used it as an opportunity for the children to care for plants and observe their growth. We plan to use it regularly as part of science lessons and intend to plan some whole school projects around it.”

Terry Smithson, biodiversity manager and expert ecologist at BioScapes®, said: “No matter how much space you have, you can always make space for wildlife, and the NatureArk® provides the perfect solution by creating a self-contained area, which will support wildlife in any location.

“We recognise that it’s vitally important to educate children on the benefits of protecting and conserving nature, and the NatureArk® provides schools and the local community with the opportunity to do this in an engaging learning environment, which will see us reap the biodiversity benefits moving forward.”

BioScapes® chairman and managing director, Paul Dawson added: “There is no doubt that the natural habitats of the planet are under threat like never before, which makes it more valuable than ever to educate everyone on the importance of biodiversity and making a positive impact.

“We believe that this innovation in the design of these habitats will offer an easy solution for schools to implement real positive change on biodiversity. By getting children involved in using the NatureArk®, you’re teaching them the value of biodiversity which will hopefully see a generation keen to actively invest their time in nature and conservation emerge.”

For more details of the range of biodiversity products, visit: https://bioscapes.co.uk/