A primary school has become the first building in the country to have a Local Nature Reserve on its roof, Natural England said.
The Telegraph 5 Oct 09;
The 2,000 square metre ''green roof'' on Sharrow School in Sheffield is designed to reflect the different habitats surrounding the city and includes wildflower meadow and grassland plants as well as a wetland area with a small pond.
The roof even has a dead tree to provide shelter for birds and insects and small hills and valleys - while areas which have been left to grow on their own are sprouting small trees.
According to the Government's conservation body Natural England, the green roof - which has grown in the two years since it was completed - attracts local wildlife including butterflies and bees.
It has been declared as a Local Nature Reserve by Sheffield City Council with the support of Natural England, in recognition of the importance of the roof to wildlife and educating the school's pupils about nature and the environment.
The school's head teacher Lynne Ley said: ''The staff and pupils really value the green roof and it's a great resource to get children out of the classroom to learn about wildlife and our local environment.
''They also learn how important it is to look after the environment, not just on our doorstep, but worldwide.''
While there are 1,400 Local Nature Reserves around the country, the school's is the first roof to be declared one, giving it protection to ensure it remains a site for local wildlife.
It is one of 120 green roofs in Sheffield, which claims to be the ''green roof capital'' of the UK, and was designed by the Green Roof Centre which was founded by Sheffield University and Groundwork Sheffield.
Paul Scriven, leader of Sheffield City Council, said: ''The Local Nature Reserve designation will protect the roof to ensure it remains a haven for local wildlife as well as a wonderful educational resource for the school and its pupils.
''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 helping avert flooding, insulate buildings and keep cities cool, as well as providing habitat for wildlife.
Natural England's regional director Peter Nottage said: ''In our changing climate, we need to find new ways of supporting our wildlife and managing extreme weather - something that residents and businesses in Sheffield are only too aware of.
''This is a superb example of how we can also involve our future generations in looking after our environment.''
