Insect restaurant opens at Bay Pond

Staff from Exxon Mobil happily gave up a day in the office to help create a butterfly garden - for use as an educational resource for children to study plants and their relationship with insects - during an Environmental Challenge Day (ECD) run by Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT), at its Educational Nature Reserve at Bay Pond in Godstone.

Funds for the work were provided by the Tandridge Group and the planning and purchasing of materials was carried out by long term SWT supporter and volunteer, John Gent.  Before building work could begin, David Millen, voluntary reserve manager, and his work party, prepared the area; clearing scrub, removing fences and cultivating and leveling the site.

The Exxon Mobil staff soon got stuck in; laying paving slabs, constructing three raised wooden planters, filling them with top soil and finishing by laying a shingled pathway through the garden.

The new garden will be planted out by the Bay Pond team of conservation volunteers with a variety of native species, including borage, white dead-nettle, meadow cranesbill, knapweed, buddleia and primrose, to flower over a long period to provide nectar for butterflies, bees and other insects. A 'mini meadow' of native grasses, nettles and thistles, has already been planted, providing food for caterpillars of butterflies including meadow browns and skippers. The diverse range of plants will allow children to see which are used as nectar sources for adult insects and which provide food for their larvae.

Roger Granby, SWT Reserve Manager & Education Officer, said: “On the day 14 Exxon Mobil staff threw themselves into the project, laying paving slabs, building raised plant beds and filling them with soil. The day was finished off with the creation of a gravel path through the garden to enable children to inspect plants and insects at close quarters and allow wheel chair access.  All in all it was a very productive and enjoyable day.”

Spokesman from Exxon Mobil said: “It was the best team building day; to get outside, do work for wildlife and the community and have fun. It was hard work but it gave us all a great sense of achievement; I would recommend it to anyone.”

To find out how your company can help SWT, contact Colin Greenwood, business relations executive, on tel 01483 795441 or email colin.greenwood@surreywt.org.uk.