Following last month's official opening of Cricklepit Mill on Exeter's quayside, a team of volunteers from EDF Energy will help transform part of the centre's garden this week.
The task will be to create a spiral, herb labyrinth alongside the main leat to attract more wildlife and visitors to the site.
Devon Wildlife Trust's (DWT) wildlife gardening expert John Hayward said: "Now we have officially opened, things are really starting to take shape. The wildflower meadow we planted last month is coming up nicely and should provide an excellent nectar source for butterflies and other insects later in the year. This week we will be embarking on the next project, creating a labyrinth of herbs which will come into flower in the summer and be mown in the winter. Once it is fully established it will provide another useful habitat along with being a fun thing for visitors to explore."
On the day a team from EDF Energy will help with the construction. The company is a DWT corporate supporter and has worked with the charity on a number of conservation projects at various sites around the county.
Dan Pritchard from EDF Energy said: "We're delighted to be helping out at Devon Wildlife Trust's stunning new headquarters. As a corporate partner, we provide groups of volunteers for various projects across Devon and will be working with DWT on many exciting volunteering opportunities in the coming months. The volunteers' efforts are part of EDF Energy's Helping Hands scheme, which allows all staff at least two days of company time a year to support local community and environmental projects."
The efforts to restore the site already seem to be having a positive effect on the wildlife in the area. John added: "The wildlife is really starting to come into the site now. Our resident grey wagtails have been nesting just up beyond the main building, we saw an eel for the first time in the leat this week and our new bird-feeding station seems to be attracting a host of birds to it including goldfinches, great tits and dunnocks. We hope this new work will give us an extra boost!"
The work on the site has been made possible thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, South West Regional Development Agency, Exeter City Council, Viridor and Exeter Canal & Quay Trust along with a number of other charitable trusts and corporate supporters.
For more information about the Mill visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org . The centre is open 9am-5pm weekdays throughout the year.
