'Wilder Churches’ is a partnership initiative between Somerset Wildlife Trust and the Diocese of Bath and Wells, which has been encouraging communities across the county to take action for nature in their local churchyards and burial grounds since 2021. Through community action, these often-overlooked natural areas can become more valuable spaces for nature and support a wide range of diverse plant and animal species.
This year, new communities are encouraged to get involved and help transform their local churchyard or burial ground into a haven for wildlife. Those interested in learning more are invited to join a special online workshop on Thursday 20th March, which will be attended by the Bishop of Bath and Wells, Michael Beasley. Bishop Michael will be sharing his love for the natural world, including stories from his own woodland and the importance of preserving precious wild habitats. This is a unique opportunity for people across Somerset and beyond to support their local community, ask questions about the initiative, and gain inspiration for creating wilder churchyards.
Pippa Rayner, Wilder Projects Coordinator at Somerset Wildlife Trust says: “Wilder Churches has now been running for over three years, and since then, we’ve seen incredible support for the initiative, with communities discovering wildflowers they never knew were there, running community events, building bug homes, collecting grass cuttings, planting for pollinators and more besides! As well as being valued by people, churchyards can offer important habitats for wildlife, including precious wildflower-rich grassland, which has ‘hung on’ in many churchyards whilst the vast majority has been lost from the surrounding countryside (due mainly to intensification of agricultural practices). Ancient trees, hedgerows, walls, woodland and planted areas can also give a variety of wildlife somewhere to feed, nest, shelter or hibernate, so finding out ‘what they’ve already got’ has been exciting for many communities (and us!).
