Students build otter habitat out of recycled flood defence

Students from Kingsley School in Bideford have partnered with the Environment Agency and construction teams to build a new otter habitat on school grounds, using recycled materials from local flood defence works. 

The collaborative project saw students work alongside Environment Agency biodiversity specialists and our construction company Kier to create the otter habitat using timber reclaimed from improvement works at Kenwith Valley flood storage reservoir. 

During the hands-on session, students took part in an interactive discussion with the local biodiversity officer before working in teams to construct the otter holt using logs and natural materials. 

Jack Harty, director of environmental and sustainable studies at Kingsley School, said  

This project has provided our students with an incredible opportunity to learn about local wildlife conservation while developing teamwork skills.

The children were completely engaged throughout the day and now feel a real sense of ownership over this habitat they’ve created on our school grounds. 

We’re particularly excited about setting up a trail camera nearby so students can monitor otter activity in the coming months. This kind of practical conservation experience brings classroom learning to life in ways textbooks simply cannot match.

Sarah Guest, Environment Agency biodiversity officer, said 

It was a great opportunity to work with colleagues from the wider organisation and build relations with the community we’re working in – all towards the common goal of nature recovery.

The school will integrate ongoing monitoring of the otter habitat into their science curriculum, with students regularly reviewing trail camera footage as part of their ecosystem studies. 

The initiative forms part of environmental education programmes delivered through the Environment Agency’s South West region. 

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