Wildlife seating project -advice needed

[Kwilster15]

I am organising a team of people from my company to do a day's volunteering at a local school in inner-city North London. It is a primary school (ages 4-11) and they'd like us to help them get better use of their ecology garden. Some of this will be clearing the pond, cutting back some of the excessive nettles etc but ideally they'd like some seating (for up to 10 children) that ties in with the theme. We've only just got the brief and unfortunately as the event is in 3 weeks our contractors (we're a TV company) don't have time to build bespoke seating made into insect / leaf shapes. However I did think that perhaps we could use 'logs' instead (I'm thinking different heights, cut through horizontally to provide round seating areas). So my question is - has anyone done this themselves and are there any pitfalls in doing this? How do you ensure they are safe? Is it ecologically sound? And (bit of an ask this) does anyone know any company or organisation that might provide cut logs in the London area.

Apologies if this is an inappropriate post -just trying to get some advice to work out options!
Thank you.

[nightshade]

I would ask Kew Gardens as a flyer

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by Kwilster15

However I did think that perhaps we could use 'logs' instead (I'm thinking different heights, cut through horizontally to provide round seating areas). So my question is - has anyone done this themselves and are there any pitfalls in doing this? How do you ensure they are safe? Is it ecologically sound? And (bit of an ask this) does anyone know any company or organisation that might provide cut logs in the London area.

Any installation is likely to be bound by quality standards expected by the relevant Local Authority. For instance if the wood has not been treated then it will present maintenance issues, if it has been treated with the wrong chemicals it will present H&S issues. Given your short lead time I'd suggest that you get a specification from the LA and buy off the shelf seating made from guaranteed sustainable sources - you'll need to check carefully as there's a lot of fraud on current labelling. The school should be able to advise you on the H&S parametres and provide you with LA contacts.

Also, this is not the ideal time of year to be clearing out a pond - you will find some useful discussions on the waterlife forum.

CM

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by Cotham Marble

Also, this is not the ideal time of year to be clearing out a pond - you will find some useful discussions on the waterlife forum.

CM

Agreed. In fact, this is not a good time of year to be carrying out any substantial management work to an "ecology" or wildlife garden - it's the middle of the breeding/nesting/flowering season for heaven's sake! The last thing such a place needs at this time of year is a gang of untrained, albeit well-meaning, volunteers tramping around cutting back the vegetation and disturbing the wildlife.

Of much more use, I would suggest, would be a programme of surveys and recording sessions to establish what species are present on the site. This would then form the basis of a proper long-term management plan.

I think you would be well advised to get on-site professional advice. Contact London Wildlife Trust Home, or the Trust for Urban Ecology TRUE - the Trust for Urban Ecology. I'm sure they would be glad to advise.

T2

[metalfish]

Tursiops 2 has a very valid point, it's breeding season & the pond' ll hopefully be full of young wildlife!

If your project has to carry on then I'd leave the pond well alone as well as the vegetation around it. Don't cut back any hedging if there is any, it's illegal to disturb nesting birds.

As to your seating up ended cut logs can make lovely seats, you need to bury 1/3 to 1/2 of the log, tamping down the soil as you fill it in. But I don't know the legal Health & Safety requirements for doing this for school children- the stools after all will become stepping stones to jump on.

BTCV's website has some excellent information packs readable on line, give them a go