In 1972 Howardian High School pupils Norman Doe and Martin Davies set up a Natural History Society at the school. In 1973 Cardiff City Council asked the Natural History Society of Howardian High School if it would like to manage 6 acres of scrub/grass/woodland, adjacent to the school, as a nature reserve, thus began 17 years of involvement by the pupils with the Reserve until the Schools closure in 1990. During this time the Reserve was gradually extended to 30 acres. Much of the Howardian Local Nature Reserve site was a disused domestic rubbish tip.

More information on the reserve: Howardian Local Nature reserve website.