Blue Influencers

Alton Close Primary School Blue Influencers have been making their Forest School grounds a little wilder and more welcoming for nature! Whilst learning about the species that live there, the students have dug a new pond pond which is now ready to be lined and filled with water, and made log piles nearby for hibernating amphibians. To entice human visitors into the wildlife zone, they've have created a willow arch leading into the pond area.

Having planned their project and named themselves the 'Swindon Snakes', our Blue Influencers from Beech Avenue Primary School have ventured beyond the school grounds to explore the local brook. They have been exploring what lives there, discovering plants, and finding evidence of larger mammals in residence! The group are now partnering with the Hreod Burna Urban Forest group to help create a dead hedge to protect the badger sett. Beyond this, they have been litter picking and have plans to campaign to reduce the amount of litter left in the area. 

Our Blue Influencers from Churchward Sixth Form started their project by visiting our Hagbourne Copse nature reserve on a weekly basis, trying their hand at a variety of tasks including litter picking, collecting seeds for the tree nursery, cutting back brambles from paths and improving the condition of the pond by clearing logs and removing grass. The group also made some seed bombs which have now been dispatched along the cycleway at Shaw Forest. Then, responding to the shorter winter days and changeable weather, they have been on a series of 'wellbeing walks' to local green spaces. Armed with binoculars, they've been learning about a range of birds, and have been pratising plant ID using the Seek app.

During April and May 2025, the Trust’s Jo Darlington had the opportunity to work with 10 Blue Influencers from St Joseph’s Catholic Secondary School in Laverstock, Salisbury. The students were in Years 7 to 9, and they initially had no contact with or knowledge of the River Bourne, a chalk stream Site of Special Scientific Interest, within a 10 minute walk of the school. 

Over the course of five weeks, the Blue Influencers were able to investigate the wildlife in and around the river, clear areas to improve access, rebuild fencing with willow weaving, provide kingfisher perches, bring in log seating, create art and provide some more information for future visitors. Possibly one of the most rewarding outcomes was their enjoyment of just being in the area, coupled with their desire to maintain the natural beauty and diversity for other visitors.

Lena Rose, the school’s Safeguarding and Welfare Officer, had this to say about the project:

"Taking part in the Blue Influencer Scheme with Wiltshire Wildlife truly inspired our students. Learning about our local blue spaces and working to support wildlife in a nearby chalk stream sparked real curiosity and teamwork. It was incredible to see the students create something lasting for the community.”

When we started working with the Year 6 class in the spring, the school pond was looking very overgrown and in need of restoration. The Year 6 pupils spent a few weeks clearing undergrowth and restoring the pond area, helping it become a nature-rich environment which the assistance of the Trust’s Sue Deedigan. The pupils were keen to share the results with the rest of the school through displaying posters and providing Spotter Sheets to encourage the younger year groups to spend time by the pond and learn about what the wildlife that lives there or visits.

A group of Year 5 and 6 pupils at Studley Green Primary spent 12 weeks being Blue Influencers in their local community. As well as investigating the wildlife in their school ponds, the pupils learned all about the water cycle and the importance of blue spaces for nature, with the assistance of the Trust’s Sue Deedigan. Keen to make a difference, the group took part in a number of community litter picks around their local brook, and then finished off the project by talking to the whole school during assembly, educating the other children about what they’d learned and giving them ideas about how they too can help protect their blue spaces.

Will Orr, Assistant Headteacher, had this to say about the project:

“It was a fantastic project that gave the children a good understanding of the issues affecting our rivers. They had the opportunity to participate in meaningful and enriching activities on our school grounds and in the local area. A particular highlight was the river litter pick, where every child contributed to making our environment cleaner and more welcoming for wildlife.”