Nature calls for make over

Published by Elizabeth Pokorny for Kier Services in Communities and also in Environment

Trent Mill Nature Park receives an update

Managers and colleagues from local repairs and maintenance provider, Kier Stoke, have given their time to help update facilities at Trent Mill Nature Park. Located in Hanley, the nature reserve, which opened two years ago, was formed with help from the Prince’s Trust to create a natural habitat for wildlife in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent.

The group of managers, team leaders and resource controllers from Kier Stoke’s reactive housing maintenance section volunteered to resurface limestone footpaths within the nature reserve at Joiners Square. They also refurbished a number of benches around the nature reserve.

Kier regional managing director, David Mawson, said: “We worked closely with our supply chain partners Brandon Plant Hire on this project, who provided a mini digger and wacker plates without charge. Wildlife reserves such as this are vital for maintaining a safe eco system and protecting our environment. They also act as centres of learning for our children who would not otherwise have access to city centre nature. We hope the residents in Hanley and Stoke-on-Trent continue to enjoy this wildlife sanctuary.”

The nature reserve includes a growing patch allowing residents to cultivate vegetables. Trent Mill Nature Park was originally established over 20 years ago, and for the last three years the Stoke-on-Trent City Council countryside team and friends of Trent Mill have rejuvenated what had become an overgrown and forgotten area. Thanks to groups such as Kier, the Prince’s Trust, ASDA and Groundwork, the area is now an attractive and welcoming area for local residents to enjoy the nature that is on their doorstep.

As a result of several years of hard work, the nature park includes a tree arboretum, geology display and community orchard plus a growing area for local schools. Future plans include projects to restore the pond area and create otter holts in an attempt to attract otters back to the River Trent.

This year the nature park was entered into Britain in Bloom and impressed the judges with its colourful displays of native wildflowers and the greenhouse on site made from recycled plastic bottles.