Create a hibernaculum
This hands-on learning guide teaches young people how to build a safe refuge for amphibians, reptiles, and other native wildlife. It explains what a hibernaculum is and why it is important, describing how its many nooks and crannies provide shelter during the winter months. With easy step-by-step instructions, children learn how to use natural and recycled materials like logs, sticks, drainpipes, and soil to construct their own hibernaculum in gardens or school grounds.
This activity not only builds practical outdoor skills but also raises awareness of how small conservation actions can make a big difference for species such as frogs, toads, newts, lizards, and even hedgehogs. The resource helps learners connect with nature directly, encouraging patience, observation, and recording of wildlife that may move in.
Learning Outcomes:
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Understand what a hibernaculum is and why it is important for wildlife
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Learn how to create a wildlife refuge using natural and recycled materials
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Develop practical outdoor skills through hands-on conservation activities
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Explore the role of small actions in supporting local biodiversity
Curriculum Links:
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Science: Habitats, animal survival, adaptation, ecosystems
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Geography: Human impact on the environment, local wildlife habitats
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Citizenship: Taking responsibility for conservation in local spaces
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Design & Technology: Planning and building wildlife structures
