Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has completed work on a new undercover outside classroom at Carsington Water near Ashbourne, after receiving a donation from the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund.
The new classroom has a traditional roundhouse design with striking rafters, Cedar panelling, with a turf roof, all supported by a larch frame.
To complement the new facility a new exhibit has also been created using large butterfly wings to help people find the outdoor classroom, which also offers a great opportunity for a selfie.
A second outdoor area, with sculpted carved posts, allows a large tarpaulin to be added in the meadow so there is cover for poor weather or shade in hot weather.
Carsington Water is a nature reservoir operated by Severn Trent Water, who worked in partnership with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to create the new outdoor classroom facility.
Diane Gould, people engagement officer at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said ‘Our Severn Trent partnership education classroom is dedicated to getting children outdoors and engaged with nature to provide a wilder future for everyone. This new outdoor classroom means we can run activities whatever the weather.’
Andrew Caile, quarry manager at Tarmac’s nearby Ballidon quarry said: “We are pleased to have been able to support the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust with this project with a grant from the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund. We hope the outdoor classroom is enjoyed by many for years to come.”
