For a major soil restoration and conservation project nestled in the Derbyshire countryside, Principal Contractor Cawarden and Melbourne Cubs joined hands to build twelve bat boxes, providing cosy new homes for bats to roost in during the colder months.

The primary objective was to provide new homes for the bats while meeting the requirements of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

To achieve this, Site Manager Kevin Roughton collaborated with David Calvert, the Melbourne Cub leader, to assign the Cubs the responsibility of constructing the bat boxes.

As part of their DIY Activity Badge, the Cubs are required to engage in activities such as hammering, hanging, sanding, or staining something as a way of giving back to nature, repairing a damaged object, or making something useful for their home.

The bat box construction project was the ideal fit to earn their DIY Activity Badge and Kevin procured enough reclaimed wood for them to complete the task.

What the children learned from taking part in the activity

• How to use and take care of tools safely
• How to work safely on projects
• Learn about different materials and what they’re used for
• Helping to design and make something useful
• Measuring accurately
• Sawing
• Joining pieces of wood together in different ways
• Reusing materials (reclaimed wood) to make something new
• How to help bats

Based on the feedback received from the children, it was evident that they had a great time participating in the activity and appreciated the opportunity to learn about bats and the art of constructing bat homes using woodworking skills and various tools.

One of the children expressed satisfaction in contributing towards the betterment of the bat habitat through the DIY project.

Another child was fortunate enough to acquire an extra bat box to set up at home, eagerly anticipating the arrival of new winged occupants in the near future!

The project is a true testament to the power of collaboration and demonstrates the positive impact we can have when we work together towards a common goal!

Conservation in Derbyshire

The large and complex project located on a former colliery site aims to restore soil, preserve and enhance nature, and make the countryside more accessible to local residents.

To deliver the project, Cawarden is working alongside expert teams including ecologists and environmental consultants.

The work so far has significantly improved the local populations of butterflies, birds, and snakes. By cleaning up the site, Cawarden is allowing nature to thrive, resulting in a positive impact on the environment. The project success is attributed to the dedication and expertise of its specialist teams.