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6th June, 2007
For Immediate Release
Wildlife and technology at BMW engine plant
Innovative education
partnership shows what can be done.
Over 80 pupils from three
West Midlands schools saw the successful efforts being made to encourage
wildlife by one of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust's 'gold' corporate members
when they took part in a 'Discovery Day' at BMW's state-of-the-art engine
plant at Hams Hall, North Warwickshire.
An action-packed
programme saw the pupils from
Queen
Elizabeth
School
(Atherstone),
Studley
High School
and St. Alban's
C.E.
School
(Highgate,
Birmingham
) take part in a number of activities to assess the diversity of plants
and the richness of wildlife that exists on the 85-acre site.
The engine plant, which was launched in 2001, produces all four-cylinder
petrol power units for BMW and MINI worldwide and was landscaped from the
start with wildlife in mind. Extensive wild flora areas encourage
biodiversity and provide refuge for all sorts of creatures. The largest of
the lakes on the Hams Hall site, containing twelve-and-a-half million
gallons of water, is fed with rainwater from the roof of the machining
hall.
Jen Jones, the Trust's senior education officer, said: "The idea of pond-dipping and looking for wildlife at an engine
factory might sound a bit strange at first, but it is great to see to see
the variety of habitats and wildlife that exist at Hams Hall. It shows
what can be done when a company takes its environmental responsibility
seriously."
Plant Hams Hall's communications manager Jason Reakes commented: "The young people identified all sorts of creatures on our site
that we weren't previously aware of and came up with suggestions to
encourage more wildlife. Many people incorrectly assume that factories are
probably pretty dirty places, but everyone who visits our plant is
impressed by its exceptional cleanliness. Showing the pupils and teachers
how we use modern technology to protect the environment and minimise or
eliminate completely all kinds of waste was an important part of the
day."
The Warwickshire Wildlife
Trust is one of the 47 partners that make up The Wildlife Trusts, the
UK
s leading conservation charity dedicated to protecting and conserving
local wildlife and habitats. Nationally, The Wildlife Trusts have a
membership of 600,000 and manage 55 nature reserves across the country
covering over 800 hectares.
For information on opening times, events, activities,
volunteering, Membership, corporate membership or anything related to
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, please call 024 7630 2912, or visit www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk.
ENDS
Press contact:
Zoe Canham
Tel: (024) 7630
8985
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