Planting Elm trees as part of the Species Recovery Programme

Over winter, our students have carried out habitat management work called Species Recovery for Dingy Skipper and White Letter Hairstreak butterflies. The White Letter Hairstreak butterfly species is endangered due to the loss of native Elm trees. Both butterfly species are on a special list of endangered plants, animals and habitats written by the government. The list is called section 41. We have cleared brambles and felled trees to make open grassy areas called rides which are a network of pathways through a woodland and open areas of grassland called glades. The butterflies will now be able to travel from one part of the nature to another in search of Elm trees, which is their food plant. Students have also planted Elm trees along the rides and glades. We worked as team with West Midlands Distillery and bar staff from Dr. Eamers bar at the Waterfront in Merry Hill. West Midlands Distillery bought the Elm trees to help them offset their carbon footprint as business. Together we planted 150 Elm trees in 2 hours. A big thank you to Jordan from Dr Eamers for letting our students get involved and to the wardens at Wrens Nest and Saltwells NNRs where they have also planted elms. It was a team effort to try and target threatened species.