Potential for nature
With an estimated 124,500 gardens in Somerset, covering 19 square kilometres of the county, these spaces have huge potential for nature. If we all gave a little bit more space for wildlife within our gardens, just imagine how much habitat we would create overall for nature! Gardens can also help us buffer the impacts of surface flooding, pollution run off, create cooler climates around our homes and are fantastic for our health and well being.
We're on a mission to help everyone in Somerset who looks after a garden to give more space to wildlife. Here you'll find tips, projects and downloads, or you can request personal advice from our team of Wilder Gardening Champions who are part of the Wilder Gardening Group.
Let's invite wildlife back!
Find out more about the Wild About Gardens project, created to celebrate wildlife gardening and to encourage people to use their gardens to take action to help support nature. This year we’re going wild about swifts, swallows and martins!
Take action for wildlife
Find more ways to take action for the wildlife in your garden by downloading our guides.
The Wilder Gardening Group has created the following advice sheets and species lists for plants that thrive in Somerset and support a variety of wildlife.
Land management advice
Looking for guidance on managing a larger area of land or community project? We've got lots of habitat management, planning and community resources in our Team Wilder resource library.
Wilder Allotments
There are lots of actions you can take to manage your allotment plot in a way which minimises harmful environmental impacts and creates an inviting space for wildlife.
You can also work together with other plot holders to obtain and award for your entire society! To obtain an award your allotment society you will need:
1. 25% of allotment plots have obtained a plot award.
2. AND your allotment society are making efforts to welcome wildlife. For example by encouraging environmental friendly practices in official guidance and dedicating areas to wildlife.
3. Get in touch and tell us about it! teamwilder@somersetwildlife.org
Wilder Churches
Find example management plans for burial grounds, plus heaps of other resources, and sign up for Wilder Churches meet-ups.
Wilder Schools
For tips and practical advice on transforming school grounds into a wildlife haven that supports curriculum learning, check out our Schools Packs and awards.