As part of our conservation works at Richmond upon Thames College (RuTC) we have collaborated with Amazon and The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) to create beautiful conservation spaces for students and staff to enjoy.
The first day of the ongoing project in March was spent with some of our Foundation Learning students and Amazon volunteers planting over 450 trees that, with the ongoing care, support and ownership of the students, will grow into a hedgerow full of a mix of different native tree species, bringing increased biodiversity to the garden area for many years to come.
Strategic Corporate Partnerships Manager at TCV, Chris Dingley, comments,
“One of The Conservation Volunteers' key goals is the commitment to inspire young adults, who may face barriers in accessing quality green space and green skills training, to connect with nature and learn how to protect it. Through a collaboration with Amazon, we are giving Foundation Learning Students at Richmond Upon Thames College the opportunity to create, and manage, their very own community garden."
Read what our Foundation Learners had to say about the work:
Isaura, "We are giving a home to bees and butterflys."
Charlie, "It's important to help save the planet."
Wayne, "It's nice to work outside and not in the classroom."
Planning is now well underway to continue onto phase two of the project at RuTC. Some of the activities we’ll be looking to complete as part of the next phase will be building raised garden beds, whilst also looking at the re-generation of a second garden area for the students to grow their own fruit and vegetables. To bring the garden to life even further, there are also plans for the students to design and paint a mural, with discussions due to begin shortly about extending the project onto further HRUC colleges.