Throughout National Allotment Week 2024, which runs from the 12th – 18th August, the Trust will be reminding its supporters about the benefits of adding wildlife-friendly plants and making environmentally friendly choices in their allotments. By making small changes to these outdoor spaces, they can become vital places for wildlife to thrive, as well as important places for growing food. 

There are lots of ways people can welcome wildlife into their allotments, including: 

• Only using peat-free compost 

• Being conservative with water 

• Looking after your soil 

• Avoiding the use of chemicals 

• Planting pollinator-friendly flowers

The Trust’s Wildlife-Friendly Allotment Awards are available to all those who are able to demonstrate that they are making an active effort to protect the environment and welcome wildlife in different ways. If successful, you will be sent a plaque that recognises your commitment to wildlife, to display in your growing space. 

Bryony Slaymaker, Wilder Communities Manager at Somerset Wildlife Trust, explains: 

“We’re so excited to officially launch our Wildlife-Friendly Allotment Awards scheme! There are so many ways you can manage your allotment or veg plot in a way that minimises harmful environmental impacts and creates an inviting space for wildlife, and by making a few small changes, you can create a mini-ecosystem that promotes abundant produce growing and supports wildlife. You can then apply for one of our Wildlife Friendly Allotment Awards, to proudly display on your plot to encourage others to make positive changes for wildlife in their own growing spaces. If your whole Allotment Committee gets involved, we’ll even send you a community award! 

We know that in order for nature to recover, we need a lot more people on nature’s side, and the science shows that if just one person in every four takes visible action for nature, this can be enough to change the minds and behaviour of the majority — which means the small changes you make in spaces like allotments really can add up.” 

You can apply for a Wildlife-Friendly Allotment Award from the Somerset Wildlife Trust by filling out the short survey below.

Apply today