'Herd' the one about the Headteacher who got cows in to cut the grass at school?
No it's not a joke - it's true!
Headteacher Mr Andy Howard, from Velmead School and Fleet Infants, is bringing in Aberdeen Angus cows on July 5, 2010, to graze (eat) the heathland belonging to Velmead Junior School.
Did you know heathland has been grazed by cattle for thousands of years?
The pupils use the heathland to learn about wildlife and by grazing cows there, they'll be helping the animals that live there too!
The Aberdeen Angus cattle will help the wildlife in several ways: 1. they will keep the area free of sapling trees and scrub to help wet heathland wildlife who like the heathland more open, including reptiles such as lizards and snakes; 2. cattle munch here and there rather than on one plant, so lots of different plants will be able to grow - which is good for wildlife too; 3. cows' poo - or dung - helps insects such as dung beetles to survive - and birds eat insects - so that's good for the food chain.
Staff from Hampshire Wildlife Trust will be training the teachers and children in how to be a good 'looker' (looking after the livestock - cows).
Do you have animals at your school. Get in touch and send us a photo!
