Endangered species helps Dudley College of Technology to go green
Students from Dudley College of Technology’s Aspire Learning programme have been recognised for their biodiversity-boosting action; as part of a nationwide “Let’s Go Zero” campaign, designed to help all UK schools, colleges and nurseries to be zero carbon by 2030.
Funded by the OVO Foundation, Dudley College students have been awarded £200 to kickstart their great green project, which will allow them to plant wych elm and privet trees across all college campuses, creating an inviting habitat for the white-letter hairstreak butterfly which is an endangered species.
This will extend the species recovery work students have contributed to cross Dudley Nature Reserves with the help of the reserve's wardens.
The white-letter hairstreak butterfly gets its name from the white lines that form a 'W' shape on its underside. It is an elusive butterfly that became endangered due to the loss of native elm trees from Dutch elm disease. Butterfly monitoring has shown an 87 per cent decline in the UK population of white-letter hairstreak since 1976. It is now only seen from June – July across the Midlands and Oxfordshire, making it one of the rarest butterfly species in the country with a protected status under the 1981 Countryside Act and priority species status under the 2010 Biodiversity Framework.
The college beat hundreds of others to win the prize, which will bring to life their goal to promote biodiversity across the Dudley borough.
Neil Thomas Chief Executive and Principal of Dudley College of Technology, said: “We are delighted to win this Let’s Go Zero and Ovo Foundation Nature Prize. It means we can help show our students and community the importance of cutting our carbon emission and creating spaces for nature. These small actions across the UK add up to making a big difference to climate change.”
Rosemary Golding the lecturer that supports the prize-winning learners said: “Many of these learners have Special Educational Needs, so it is especially rewarding to see their passion for preserving nature being encouraged. The prize money will allow us to plant new saplings which we will nurture over successive years, with new groups of learners.”
Su Moore, Head of OVO Foundation said: “OVO Foundation are proud to continue supporting the Nature Prize. Through the inventiveness and diversity of the funded projects, we're truly able to see our mission of a greener, brighter future for the next generation come to life.”
Alex Green, Head of Let’s Go Zero Campaign, which is led by climate solutions charity, Ashden said: “These 25 schools and colleges have put forward incredible plans to boost the biodiversity in their areas and make sure students have beautiful places to learn, connect with nature and share with their communities. We were so impressed by their plans and enthusiasm and hope they inspire other schools to do the same.”
