Tesco Gardening Club Members Explore Biodiversity at Wildfell Nature Recovery Centre

Members of the Tesco Headquarters Gardening Club recently visited Ground Control’s Wildfell Centre for Environmental Recovery for an inspiring day of hands-on learning, designed to deepen their understanding of biodiversity and nature recovery. 

Hosted by Ground Control’s environmental specialists, the visit provided a unique opportunity for colleagues to experience practical conservation activities while building on the sustainability principles championed through the Tesco Gardening Club and Tesco’s One Planet initiative. 

Creating Homes for Wildlife 

In a session led by Chris May, Senior Contract Manager, volunteers created hibernacula in the form of large bug hotels. Located within an established woodland area, chosen to provide protection from both extreme heat and frost, participants used recycled pallets and locally sourced natural materials, including twigs, pinecones, moss, leaves and deadwood, to build habitats that provide shelter for insects and other invertebrates throughout the year. 

The activity demonstrated how simple, cost-effective initiatives can support biodiversity and offered ideas that participants can replicate both at home and within the gardens at Tesco Headquarters. 

Enhancing Wetland Habitats 

In a second session, led by Marc Wilkinson, Sector Director, participants took part in vegetation management around wetland and pond habitats. Working under expert guidance, the group learned how carefully targeted vegetation clearance can improve biodiversity. 

At this site, increasing the amount of sunlight reaching the water will encourage native aquatic plants to thrive, while also increasing water temperature to benefit insects and amphibians. 

The session highlighted the importance of active habitat management in maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting a diverse range of species. 

Supporting Woodland Growth and Recycling Resources 

The final activity focused on the removal and recycling of tree guards from young woodland planting areas. Led by Danielle Makepeace, Head of Client Service, and Megan Davison, Senior Key Account Manager, participants learned how to identify trees that had become established enough to no longer require protection from small browsing mammals such as voles.  

By removing and collecting the guards for recycling and reuse, the group supported the healthy development of the woodland while contributing to a circular approach to resource management. 

The visit provided Gardening Club members with valuable insights into the practical actions being taken to create and restore habitats, enhancing biodiversity at scale. Chris Bawtree, Nature Recovery Director and overall session lead, shared: