(Above) Buchanan High school pupils building boxes

School pupils have created homes for birds and bats thanks to the project to design and build Lanarkshire’s new hospital.

Through its commitment to Community Benefits, the Monklands Replacement Project (MRP) provided 30 bird and bat boxes to be put together by pupils and placed around three schools – Buchanan High in Coatbridge, Glencryan School in Cumbernauld and St Philip’s School in Airdrie. The MRP’s construction partner, Laing O’Rourke, led the habitat enhancement initiative as part of its Community Benefits work for the project to build the new University Hospital Monklands at Wester Moffat in Airdrie.

Laing O’Rourke ecologists working on the MRP were supported by civil engineers I&H Brown, part of the construction giant’s supply chain, and Glasgow-based environmental consultants Naturally Compliant.

(Above) St Philip’s School (from left): Eilidh Simon, Naturally Compliant; Irene Gibb, Laing O’Rourke; Alan Stewart, I&H Brown, one of the St Philip’s teachers; Dean Malloy, I&H Brown; Heather Pratt, I&H Brown

A Glencryan staff member said:

“It was a fantastic experience for our young people. They learned about the importance of ensuring safe habitats for local animals and learned real-life skills while building the boxes. Pupils have now painted their boxes and we plan to attach them to trees in the area.”

One of the Glencryan pupils added:

“It was fun. I didn’t know bat boxes existed. I’m looking forward to walking around Cumbernauld and attaching my box to a tree.

“The people who worked with us were very nice and explained a lot about how the boxes keep animals safe.”

A St Philip’s teacher said:

“Our young people thoroughly enjoyed the recent opportunity of the environmental initiative, building bird and bat boxes for our school campus. The input was engaging, easy to follow and informative.

“All the young people involved had a great time and the boxes are now going up around the campus.”

Bird boxes provide safe, artificial cavities to compensate for the loss of natural nesting sites in modern landscapes. Bat boxes offer man-made roosts to counter the reduction in habitats and provide warm refuge during harsh winters.

Along with environmental enhancements, the MRP Community Benefits programme targets job creation, apprenticeships, learning opportunities, and support for businesses large and small in the local area and further afield.

(Above) Pupils and staff at Glencryan School

MRP Community Benefits Engagement Lead Lesley Aitken said:

“This environmental initiative provided pupils at each of the three schools with the opportunity to develop their practical skills by building the boxes. It also gave them the chance to learn more about environmental sustainability and the ways to protect local wildlife and enhance the biodiversity of their local area.

“The teachers were enthusiastic about the industry engagement with pupils which provided a practical activity and environmental education.

“The work with our young people in Lanarkshire through delivery of the MRP Community Benefits programme continues to highlight how our major project can benefit local people and leave a lasting legacy far beyond the new hospital and its associated facilities.”