Nature’s Classroom, Reawakened!
During the second week of the Easter holidays, the WildWater team headed to South Wigston for a rewarding transformation project at the local high school. Tucked away at the bottom of the school field was an existing wildlife pond—full of potential, but hidden beneath heavy overgrowth and long overdue for some attention.
Our first task was to tackle the old boardwalk. Over time, it had become unsafe and unusable, which meant the entire area had gradually been left behind. Removing it was a crucial first step in reopening the space for both students and staff.
With the boardwalk dismantled and cleared away, we shifted focus to creating a safe and accessible ground surface. We laid down hardcore and compacted it to form a solid base, before adding a layer of gravel to make the area easy to walk on and suitable for outdoor learning. To tie everything into the natural surroundings, we feathered this into a bark pathway leading from the entrance gate—blending functionality with the woodland setting.
One of the biggest challenges was the lack of light. Overgrown trees and branches had created a dark, enclosed space around the pond. By carefully cutting back the excess growth, we were able to open up the area and let sunlight flood back in—completely changing the atmosphere and giving the pond a new lease of life.
Behind the pond, we cleared large amounts of ivy and dense undergrowth to make room for planting and encourage natural regrowth. Using materials already on site, we built a gently curved log bank from fallen branches and logs. This not only added visual interest, but also created a new walkway, allowing students and teachers to explore the pond from a different perspective.
To further enhance the space, we introduced larger rocks along the pond’s edge—where the boardwalk once overhung. This helped create a more natural look and feel, while also forming a stable bank for additional planting. With fresh greenery added throughout, the entire area began to feel vibrant and alive once more.
The transformation really speaks for itself. What was once an overgrown, neglected corner of the school grounds is now a bright, welcoming wildlife area filled with light, texture, and opportunity. It’s a space where students can learn outdoors, connect with nature, and watch local wildlife thrive—and that’s exactly what projects like this are all about.
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