Carousel Calendars has been rolling up its sleeves for the environment through the launch of a project to turn an abandoned wasteland at its Exeter offices into a haven for wildlife.

Not content with already aligning itself with the Science Based Targets initiative to put it on the 1.5ºC pathway, the calendar and greetings specialist has turned its attention to staff wellbeing, company culture, and environmental regeneration.

It’s plan: to transform its patch of forgotten land into a site for the local flora and fauna.

“The Staff-Wildlife Haven will become a paradise for our staff to immerse themselves in nature,” said Andy Ellis, facilities and health and safety manager at Carousel’s parent company, Zebra MTD.

“Our vision is to have an easily accessible place – made by us – where diverse wildlife can thrive.”

The Haven will be divided into different areas, providing different types of habitat including dense native shrubland, a wild orchard, a naturally populated pond, a wildflower meadow, and an undulating scrubland, before joining a bridge over the stream that provides staff access to a woodland with seating areas.

With staff volunteering their time to the project, Phase One of the transformation is now complete, with paths laid, a bridge under construction, and the pond mapped out and dug.

“This is our secret garden,” said Andy. “We’re going to build a Buggingham Palace and get the kids involved in smaller parts of the project.

“At Carousel Calendars, Otterhouse, and Calendar Club we have set ourselves principles, and all those principles are around species preservation, using recyclable materials, and having a low carbon footprint. Our Staff-Wildlife Haven is about helping our staff engage with nature and appreciate the environment.”