WildWater Blasts Off Into Nature!

In February, WildWater took a giant leap into the great outdoors, teaming up with the National Space Centre’s ‘UKSA Space to Learn’ program and The Wildlife Trust to create a nature-filled haven for the people of Leicester. And guess what? It all happened in a cosy corner of the Space Centre, a space generously donated for this community project.

Our adventure began in late January when we met a group of curious 11-16-year-old explorers at one of their UKSA meetings. We gave them a sneak peek into what WildWater does, showing how we can bring wildlife into their vision through ponds, bug banks, insect hotels, and even toad abodes. The kids had some pretty grand ideas of their own, too: a pond that would be a perfect hangout for frogs and newts, a beach area where hedgehogs could sip water and small birds could bathe, and of course, a little something extra—a meteor! Yep, they wanted a cosmic touch for the Space Centre, and we were all in!

So, off we went, brainstorming ways to make this meteor dream a reality. By mid-February, we were back at the site, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to roll up our sleeves (and, of course, move some big rocks). With the help of our trusty track barrow, we unloaded our ‘meteors,’ carefully positioning them across the space as if they’d crash-landed from the stars, leaving a trail of cosmic fragments behind. Right in the center, we placed a large, conveniently flat ‘podium’ like rock - perfect for displaying their weekly meeting artifacts, just as they’d imagined.

It was back-breaking work… but the end result? Totally worth it! We had just created WildWater's very first meteor shower.

The next task was the ponds, and the kids were jumping to get stuck in. There was no hesitation—spades were grabbed, wheelbarrows were pushed, and hands got dirty as the group jumped right into the action. The excitement was contagious as everyone got involved, each taking ownership of their part in this creative journey. While the group went off to have their lunch and a well-deserved break, the WildWater team, along with Sally from The Wildlife Trust were busy prepping the pond spaces—felting, lining, rock-stacking, and getting the plants ready.

When the kids returned from lunch, it was all systems go. They were eager to know about the plants, how they’d grow, and where to put everything. Suggestions flew thick and fast, and soon they were arranging rocks, adding logs, and even shaping nooks and crannies for pond life, all while learning the art of creating a thriving ecosystem. Watching them get so hands-on with the project, it was clear—they were truly invested in making this space their own.

By the end of the day, we had not one, but TWO fantastic ponds, thanks to the kids’ stellar teamwork. And as we all stood back to admire the work, one of the kids said, “This is my new favorite place!” It was a moment of pure joy, and honestly, it’s why we do what we do.

Projects like this remind us how important it is to give kids a space to be creative and connect with nature—something they might not have at home, but can enjoy with their families. From the smiles to the laughter and the engagement, we left the project with hearts full of happiness, already looking forward to the next adventure!