Reaseheath College was buzzing with activity as conservation students and wildlife experts joined forces to carry out a bioblitz to assess the ecological health of the college’s Local Wildlife Site.
Level 2 and 3 Environmental Conservation students joined forces with a team from RECORD, Cheshire’s leading environmental record centre, for a bioblitz of the Greenway Trail, a wet pasture area designated as a site of biological interest due to its diverse plant life.
Bioblitzes are used for rapid biodiversity assessment and the group worked together to create a baseline species record for the college’s Greenway Trail, providing a crucial foundation for ongoing conservation efforts.
The site, which is home to native species such as Devil’s-Bit Scabious, Germander, Speedwells and the Cheshire-rarity Great Burnett, proved to be a haven for wildlife.
Azure damselflies and banded demoiselles flitted amongst the greenery, while chunky-legged flower beetles, green shield bugs and ladybirds busily explored the site. The calls of chaffinches, chiffchaffs, blackcaps, and even a soaring buzzard could also be heard during the activity.
The discoveries from the bio-blitz will now be added to the national RECORD database. This vital resource informs conservationists and decision-makers, empowering them to safeguard the rich tapestry of local biodiversity. The Greenway Trail’s health check is a significant step towards a thriving ecosystem.
Bioblitzes are used for rapid biodiversity assessment but also as a way of widening engagement with nature for a general audience.
This real-world experience provided the students with an invaluable opportunity to hone their field skills, putting their knowledge to the test in a practical setting, as Lecturer Jasmine Hulse explains.
“This bioblitz is a fantastic example of Reaseheath’s commitment to providing students with industry focused, career ready skills,” she said.
“By getting hands-on experience in real-world situations like this, alongside experts from RECORD, our students gain invaluable insights into practical conservation techniques. RECORD‘s knowledge of the local environment is excellent, and collaborating with them ensures our students are learning from the best.”
Programme Leader Heather Hulse added: “We’re hoping to make this a yearly project, building a deeper understanding of the Greenway Trail’s ecosystem. There’s a lot of work to be done to ensure this site reaches its full environmental potential, and we’re committed to its conservation.
“In fact, we’re planning on organising more bio-blitz events throughout the year, not just for students but for staff and their families too. It’s a fantastic way to connect with nature and contribute to valuable research.”
