Today, George the Poet releases a new poem written for Nextdoor Nature – a groundbreaking community rewilding scheme which will be a natural legacy for the Queen’s Jubilee.

Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and delivered by Somerset Wildlife Trust, the Nextdoor Nature project will support communities in taking action for nature in their local area and help them develop the skills, tools, networks and knowledge they need to help get their ideas for greener communities off the ground. This could include helping communities establish wilder habitats and green corridors in nature depleted areas, creating wildlife-friendly school grounds, or naturalising highly urbanised areas.

Somerset is a largely rural county, but currently only 10% of the county can be classified as being in good natural or semi-natural condition, and many of our urban centres are lacking in high quality spaces for people to connect with nature – which is essential for our health and wellbeing. Research shows that 85% of people in nature-deprived areas believe more natural spaces would improve their quality of life. The majority also say that having access to local natural spaces in their communities is more important post-pandemic.

Nextdoor Nature will support people in putting nature back into their communities and, in doing so, take steps to tackle the nature and climate crisis and address important health and wellbeing needs. Somerset Wildlife Trust will be hoping to work in urban areas across the county with locations potentially including Taunton, Shepton Mallet and Yeovil, listening to a diverse range of local voices and supporting people from all walks of life to be able to access nature and enhance their local spaces for wildlife.

George the Poet’s new poem, The Natural World, highlights how people can feel brighter and more at ease when they can tune into nature. It is performed and filmed on location across Manchester’s wilder quarters, and it urges people to “celebrate nature in our everyday lives.”

Evidence shows that people are increasingly disconnected from nature, which can have profound consequences for their health and wellbeing, and it also means they are less likely to protect their natural heritage.

The poem explores George the Poet’s sense of being part of nature:

“…like the birds and bees.

Like the ferns, the seeds, the dirt, the trees.”

It ends:

“Let’s celebrate nature in our day to day,
 At home, at work, in how we talk, how we think.
It starts with recognising we’re part of it all.
Nature’s reaching out. Let’s answer the call.”

George the Poet says:

“Linking up with The Wildlife Trusts for Nextdoor Nature reminded me that nature is all around us – it is us. Let’s stay tapped in with the natural world.”

Listen, watch and share the poem here.

A suite of five short films are also being released today to celebrate some of the communities who will benefit from Nextdoor Nature and inspire others with the art of the possible. They feature local champions who are passionate about their neighbourhoods and have achieved great things. The public will be able to view these at wildlifetrusts.org/nextdoor-nature from Friday 27^th May.

Nextdoor Nature is funded by £5 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund – part of The National Lottery’s £22 million investment to mark the Jubilee.

Led by The Wildlife Trusts, the scheme will run over the next two years giving people the skills, tools, and opportunity to take action for nature. This could include establishing wild habitats and green corridors in areas of economic and nature deprivation, rewilding school grounds, or naturalising highly urbanised or unused areas. The pandemic has demonstrated just how important access to a well-cared for natural environment is to communities across the UK.

Dr Simon Thurley CBE, Chair of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, says:

“Encouraging people to get involved in nature, is not only critical for the wellbeing of our planet, it is critical for the wellbeing of our communities. A community-created green oasis in areas where there are none will not only have a transformative effect on the lives of those involved, it will bring joy and sense of pride to many. Thanks to funding raised by players of The National Lottery, we are delighted to work in partnership with The Wildlife Trusts on Nextdoor Nature to create a wonderful natural legacy for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.”

Jolyon Chesworth, Head of Engagement for Somerset Wildlife Trust, says:

“We know that people want to take action to improve their neighbourhoods but often it’s hard to know where to start. Nextdoor Nature will support communities to set their own agenda about the environmental issues they want to tackle and we’ll be partnering with communities provide advice, skills and confidence to take the next step.

"We’ve been so inspired by the creativity, energy and enthusiasm demonstrated by communities across Somerset this year who have taken part in initiatives such as the Wilder Churches scheme - who with training and support from a growing network are taking steps to enhance their churchyards for both people and wildlife. It just goes to show the power of community; by working together, nature in Somerset can recovery and flourish again. Nature Nextdoor will enable us to support more communities to invite wildlife back into their neighbourhoods and enjoy the benefits of being close to nature.”

You can find out more about Nextdoor Nature at wildlifetrusts.org/nextdoor-nature.