Our biodiversity partnership with GreenTheUK
VolkerHighways' partnership with GreenTheUK has continued to thrive between 2024-25 with our Medway Highway Infrastructure Contract. The organisation supports wildlife projects across the country, delivering conservation and restoration projects on land and sea.
The collaboration with GreenTheUK began in 2023, with VolkerHighways being the first VolkerWessels UK business to support the organisation. The partnership firmly supports our People-Planet-Purpose framework, ensuring that 2020-2030 is our 'Decade of Action'.
VolkerHighways’ funding has supported the wildflower meadow restoration by planting around Medway and in local schools, creating a network of flower-rich pathways. The wildflower meadows are essential for the protection and survival of insects due to the food and protection that they provide.
This year, two unused 0.1-hectare sites have been restored. The first woodland area has been sown with Common Agrimony, Ragged Robin and Red Campion, whilst the second site was seeded with a mix of Ox-Eye Daisy, Lady's Bedstraw and Self-Heal.
Additionally, we proudly supported the planting of a vibrant wildflower garden at Balfour Junior School in Medway, providing hands-on learning opportunities for their reception students. Through interactive sessions, the children discovered the vital role pollinators and the challenges facing invertebrates today.
GreenTheUK also delivered three biodiversity sessions with St Marys Island School.
Make a Difference Day
During Volunteer’s Week, the VolkerHighways team and Medway Council participated in a volunteering session at a local nature reserve, Ranscombe Farm in Cuxton, Kent.
The day was planned in partnership with GreenTheUK. Volunteers were tasked with walking though the picturesque landscape to identify and document a rare plant, Salvia Pratensis, commonly known as Meadow Clary.
Fortunately, after surveying the area, 210 of the flowers were identified. This proves the conservation, managed by Plantlife, is effectively preserving the habitat for survival.
What’s to come…
The remaining planting of 2.8 hectares will be completed in Autumn of 2025 with Kent Wildlife Trust and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with GreenTheUK in the future.
“At VolkerHighways, we recognise the vital role of restoration and conservation projects in protecting our natural environment. Together, with GreenTheUK, Medway Council and local schools, we have actively educated others and supported biodiversity enhancement in Medway. We look forward to future partnerships with GreenTheUK and more impactful initiatives in the years to come.”
Sohail Hussain Project Manager
“As part of increasing our school's biodiversity, we used our seeds to help enhance our wildflower area. We're hoping for a colourful display next year and enjoyed the materials we were given to help with the learning side.”
A Teacher From Balfour Junior School
