A garden on the roof of a Sheffield school has been classified as a Local Nature Reserve - the first in the country to be situated on top of a building.
According to Natural England, the Government’s conservation body, the 2,000 square metre “green roof” on Sharrow School in Sheffield attracts wildlife such as butterflies and bees.
The roof project, completed two years ago, was designed to reflect the diverse habitats of the city and features wild plants, a wetland area and a small pond. Shelter for birds and insects has also been included, in the form of a dead tree and small hills and valleys.
Sheffield City Council has declared the roof a Local Nature Reserve due to its importance to local wildlife and its use as an education facility for the school’s children.
Paul Scriven, leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “We have worked closely with the university and Groundwork Sheffield to encourage the use of more green roofs right across the city, whether on schools, office blocks or even bus shelters.”
Green roofs can soak up heavy rainfall and help avert flooding, insulate buildings and keep cities cool as well as providing habitat for wildlife.
