Get wild, get recycling, get gardening...

The Exeter Wild City project, a five year initiative to encourage wildlife in the city, is launching a brand new competition for 2011. The aim is to challenge local schools to turn unwanted waste items into wildlife-friendly garden habitats. The Salvage Garden competition is sponsored by St Bridget Nurseries and Sutton Seeds and runs until June 2011 when the winning school will be announced.

The school with the best garden will receive a behind the scenes to St Bridget Nurseries for one class of pupils. The winners will also receive a plant per student to take away with them. All entries will be photographed and displayed at Plantsmans Café at St Bridget Nurseries, Old Rydon Lane in the autumn.

Paul Martin from Devon Wildlife Trust is organising the competition. Paul said: “Schools are already very active at recycling and we wanted to combine that enthusiasm with a creative challenge that would benefit wildlife, even in schools where green space is limited. Elsewhere we’ve seen people use baths, toilets, wheel barrows and all manner of things. I can’t wait to see what the students in Exeter come up with!” Schools in Exeter will be receiving further information and a packet of seeds to help get them started, courtesy of Sutton Seeds and for inspiration and advice can visit St Bridget Nurseries, who have been challenged to create their own Salvage Garden. Tammy Falloon, Marketing Manager for St Bridget’s said: “This is such a brilliant initiative. It brings together gardening, wildlife, education and environmental practices - plus it’s fun! We can’t wait to see what the children come up with and hope their families get involved at home too”. For more information about the competition or how your school could be involved in the Exeter Wild City project contact Paul Martin on 01392 279244.

The two St Bridget Garden Centres will also be getting into the spirit of the competition and are having a personal competition between the two sites! The photo here shows the garden at Clyst St Mary (which you can go and see EX5 1AE). We'll be highlighting some key parts to the display over the coming days so you can take part at home.