Students in the Laudato Si’ group at St Bonaventure’s School in Forest Gate recently carried out a unique biodiversity survey to explore the wildlife living on the friary lawn area within the school grounds. This initiative is part of the School Climate Action Plan, which aims to advocate for and raise awareness of sustainability across all year groups.
Over the course of a week and within a period of cold weather, students worked collaboratively in groups of three to four, using a structured recording worksheet to ensure observations were consistent. The biodiversity survey recorded 73 individual animals across 11 species, including bumblebees, ladybirds and a dragonfly.
The highlight of the survey was a surprise sighting of a fox, which helped students understand the interconnected nature of local ecosystems. One student, Aryan, said: “I never knew we had so many species of animals here at St Bonaventure’s. I look forward to having the opportunity to increase these numbers by creating bird feeders to support them.”
The survey concluded with clear sustainability recommendations. As a practical next step, students plan to create bird feeders using recycled plastic bottles. These will be placed around the school grounds, particularly near the friary lawn, to provide additional food for birds during the colder months and further support local biodiversity.
Mr Murray, Geography teacher and Sustainability Lead at St Bonaventure’s, commented: “It was truly inspiring to see the passion students have for wildlife and the genuine care they show for the environment in which they learn. There was a real buzz (pardon the pun) among the group when they realised just how many animals they had collectively spotted. Their dedication to caring for God’s creation has not only inspired them to do more, but has also inspired me to involve as many students as possible.”
In recent weeks, students have taken part in a tree-planting day to increase biodiversity around the school and plastic recycling bins have been installed to encourage recycling and wider environmental thinking. The school now uses renewable energy through the installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels.
St Bonaventure’s School, founded by the Franciscans, continues to encourage students to follow the example of St Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Ecology, who taught us that all of creation is interconnected. “Be Thou praised, my Lord, for our Sister Mother Earth, who sustains us and governs us, and who produces diverse fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.”
Through this project and other recent sustainability initiatives, students are actively responding to the call of Laudato Si’ by acting as stewards of creation and promoting biodiversity, sustainability and respect for the natural world.
St Bonaventure’s is a voluntary-aided Catholic Secondary School in Forest Gate for boys aged 11–16 and for boys and girls aged 16-18 in the Sixth Form.