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Nestlé Halifax spreads its wings with planting of butterfly sanctuary

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Planting butterfly meadow

Today, Nestlé Halifax, the home of Quality Street, After Eight and Easter eggs embarked on an exciting project to encourage indigenous wildlife to return back to the site by planting an ecological sanctuary on its grounds.

14 pupils in Year 4 at Whitehill Academy in Illingworth, Halifax learned about the importance of butterflies and were shown the types of butterfly species that are present in the area and the species Nestlé hopes to attract with their help.

The group of 8 and 9 year olds were taken to a field in the factory grounds where they sowed meadow flower seeds and planted butterfly friendly plants, including lavender, ice plant and mint.

They also got involved in creating a ‘Bug Hotel’ and took part in a fun conservation activities such as Butterfly Count and Bug Hunt. Nestlé Halifax has worked with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to create the educational activity pack given to the children.

children working

Seven Butterfly species have already been identified at the site including the Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Speckled Wood and Butterfly Conservation priority species the Grayling.

It is hoped that the meadow will attract more conservation priority species for Yorkshire such as the Duke of Burgundy, Wall Brown and High Brown Fritillary butterflies as well as attracting larger numbers of the Grayling.

Giles Mann, Nestlé Halifax Factory Manager said:

“It is great that local school children joined us to plant the meadow and to learn more about the environment. Butterflies are vital for our ecosystem but unfortunately the butterfly population is facing particularly tough conditions. By restoring the natural habitat of the area we hope to see an increase in the number of different butterfly species in the local area”.

The initiative offers a practical way to make a real difference in the local community through enhancing the natural environment and provides a place for school children to learn first-hand about nature.

It is part of the wider Nestlé’s commitment to develop biodiversity programmes at each of its sites by the end of 2015.

 ENDS

For more information, please contact Nestlé Press Office on 020 8667 6005 [email protected]