Nextdoor Nature
Nextdoor Nature in the Somer Valley
Our partners Avon Wildlife Trust have been working with communities in Writhlington, Bath College, Peasedown St John and Paulton. These four ambitious projects have aimed at listening to communities about the changes they would like to see and working with community leaders to resource, empower and inspire communities to come together to act for nature on their doorsteps. You can read previous newsletters and watch videos over on their website here
The Nextdoor Nature Somer Valley project is coming to an end in March 2025
but the legacy will continue thanks to the passionate, resilient community groups that have been formed. Please read our interim report here from October 2024
Summaries
In Writhlington
a group of neighbours are hosting monthly activity days in a local green space called The Plantation. A collaboration between Curo and Avon Wildlife Trust has meant that the previously neglected space is now being managed for people and wildlife, with the community at the heart of this transformation. Families have attended forest school activities; bat walks, bat box-making workshops, and bulb-planting days. The community are now leading on future events to maintain this space and stay connected. If you are a local resident, please look for updates on your local Facebook page.
In Paulton
a group of passionate residents had many ideas for improving their village. Avon Wildlife Trust facilitated a meeting to encourage the residents to work together and prioritise their ideas. The group quickly transformed a rubbish patch into an active community garden, growing fruits and vegetables for the community and building a wildlife pond that served as a demonstration site for passing villagers. The friendly and passionate group are now working to demonstrate wildlife gardening on other local patches of land and are called Paulton on The Wild Side. Please email paultononthewildside@gmail.com if you would like to be involved, the group is always looking for new members to help inspire the wider community.
At Bath College
a wildlife trail is being installed in order to encourage students and staff to explore their amazing campus and connect with the wildlife living there. Young people need to look after their wellbeing now more than ever so encouraging them to take time in nature is a great place to start. The trail will highlight the amazing natural features the campus has such as the dead hedge, woodland and pond. Working with the Animal Care students, the project will leave a lasting legacy for students to enjoy for years to come.
In Peasedown St John
residents have been involved in a hedgehog monitoring campaign. Sightings have shown us that there is a healthy population, but road fatalities are very worrying. With the help of local illustrator Marian Hill we were able to create some hedgehog collages with the reception children at Peasedown St John Primary School. These banners will serve to remind drivers to slow down on Orchard Road. Working with The Hive community centre and Ashgrove cemetery we have been able to improve local green spaces for wildlife with the community.
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