Taunton priority landscape

In January 2017, Taunton was one of three towns in England to be awarded Garden Town status by the Department for Communities and Local Government. We are actively working with Somerset West and Taunton Council and other local communities and organisations to help realise the benefits that high quality urban planning and green infrastructure can bring for the people and wildlife of Taunton.

‘Green Spaces, Healthy Places’ works to connect people in Taunton to the green spaces on their doorstep for the benefit of their health and wellbeing. Working with partners within the health and social care sector we provide opportunities for active participation in maintaining and improving some of our green spaces, making them better for wildlife and at the same time benefiting those involved and those that use these areas.

Gardening is a great way to get outside, boost your health and wellbeing, meet new people and provide homes for wildlife. We run a wonderful community garden project just off Lisieux Way where we hold regular volunteer sessions. Tasks including things like fruit and vegetable growing, compost turning and propagation. We also run courses at the garden on skills such as composting and hedgelaying.

You don’t have to live in the countryside to learn how to look after your local natural environment. With partners we organise courses where people can learn how to best look after these places, from scything and hedgelaying to composting and building structures from willow. In addition to courses you can also learn on the job by going along to local volunteering sessions with the active network of ‘Friends of’ groups. Check back for more information. 

Somerset Wildlife Trust is  working in partnership with Somerset West and Taunton Council to identify and create a number of species-rich wildflower meadows across the county. The initiative is part of the Council’s commitment to protecting and improving biodiversity, identified as a priority in the emerging climate change strategy. The pilot areas are amenity spaces that are traditionally cut every few weeks during the summer months. In establishing ‘wilder’ areas on council-owned land and within its parks, the meadow project hopes to help boost biodiversity across the county, supporting pollinator species in particular.

Routes to the River Tone was a three year project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, that aimed to celebrate and reconnect local communities to Taunton’s amazing green spaces, wild places and the stunning wildlife that lives along the River Tone. You can find more information below.

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