Rodbaston College students work with M6toll in new biodiversity partnership 

Students from our Rodbaston College are gaining valuable real‑world experience through a new sustainability partnership with M6toll, focused on protecting and enhancing wildlife along the motorway corridor.

More than 22 years after the M6toll opened, a rich and diverse ecosystem has developed alongside the route.

The new strategic partnership delivered through M6toll’s Drive for Charity initiative, will give animal management and countryside conservation students the opportunity to play an active role in understanding, monitoring and supporting biodiversity in a live working environment.

This year’s programme focuses on initial species monitoring and conservation activity. Animal management students are supporting work to:

• identify mammals inhabiting land along the M6toll route
• install and monitor camera traps
• carry out mammal and habitat surveys
• support conservation work around mammal passes
• complete habitat identification and ecological assessments

Countryside Management students are also working at the M6toll’s deer glade, a specially designed area that helps prevent deer from entering the carriageway while providing a safe, natural environment for wildlife. Activities include cutting back vegetation, improving habitat structure and creating habitat piles to support small mammals, insects and other species.

As part of the partnership, M6toll colleagues will also volunteer at Rodbaston Animal Zone, supporting the care and enrichment of the college’s diverse range of animals.

Jamie Cook, Curriculum Manager at South Staffordshire College, said: “We’re delighted to be working with M6toll on such meaningful, real‑world conservation activity. Through our Rodbaston College campus, students are gaining valuable experience in field surveying, habitat management and ecological monitoring, while contributing to a project with genuine environmental impact.”

Maxine Bate, Communications Manager at M6toll, added: “Working with South Staffordshire College allows us to deepen our understanding of the wildlife along the M6toll route while supporting the next generation of conservation professionals. It’s an important step in our long‑term commitment to protecting and enhancing the natural environment.”