Wilder Communities

lock in taunton with illustrated people and landscape

Somerset Wildlife Trust

Wilder Communities

Bigger, better, more joined up

At the heart of our Wilder Somerset 2030 is tripling the amount of land managed for nature. It’s a significant challenge, but one we can only achieve if we work together.

We need to create a strong, interconnected network of wild spaces and healthy habitats that provide space for nature to thrive and and restore the resilience of our ecosystems at a landscape scale, which can then provide healthy soils, clean air and water. Land of any size can contribute to this Nature Recovery Network – nature reserves, community spaces, gardens, farms, parks, churchyards and schools – it works at any scale.

We know that there's many people across the county who have the passion and energy to drive positive change for nature in their local area, school, business, land, or workplace. We need people to help lead and organise change and real doers to help us deliver on the ground and get others on board our Wilder movement.  

You may already be a part of an existing community group whose goals and motivations align well with Team Wilder, or you may be looking to set your own one up. Whatever it is, Team Wilder can help you by providing certain training and resources, and connect you with other like minded groups and people for you to share your ideas with.

team wilder map

Somerset Wildlife Trust

Put your community group on the map!

Get your wilder community on our Team Wilder map below!

Add your community to the map  View our map

bug hotel

Liz Hamilton

Is your community working together for wildlife?

Get your Wilder Community Sign!

Apply for a community wildlife sign for your village, street or town! 

How to gain your signs:

  1. 25% of households (this can include schools, business and churches) within your village or street have obtained a Somerset Wildlife Trust plaque (or your equivalent local scheme)
  2. AND your community has taken part in at least one community-led initiative to support wildlife. This could include a community mapping project, holding an environment day, running a wilder open garden scheme or managing a community area for wildlife. 
  3. Get in touch and tell us about it! teamwilder@somersetwildlife.org

Need a helping hand? We can provide you with flyers and support to encourage more members of you community get involved.

Start taking action!

There's no time like the present.

illustration with people planting trees

Wilder Leaders

We're looking for energetic people to lead change in their local area, bringing others together to make streets, neighbourhoods or villages wilder. We'll support you all the way and give you ideas to inspire others to join you. 

Find out more

Wilder Champions

We need people who will help us deliver our public engagement programmes and create a Wilder movement from the ground up. Whatever your skills, let us put them to good use!.

I want to spread the word

Wilder fundraising

There's lots you can do to help raise funds for our work and have fun at the same time - even if you only have a few hours to spare, Pick something that works for you.

Find out more
Wilder Somerset meadow image

Wildlife monitoring

To make the best decisions for nature’s recovery and tackle climate change, we must understand what's happening to the biodiversity and abundance of our wildlife, and the health of our habitats and ecosystems. Be our eyes and ears on the ground.

Get involved

No community groups in your area?

Starting a community group on your own takes a lot of time and energy that you may not have right now. That's why, Team Wilder is here to help you! We'll connect you with others in your area who are also interested in starting a group and we'll give you training and plenty of resources in setting a group up yourselves.

More information

We've also just launched a new Community Empowerment pack that is a basic guide to setting up an action group within your community, focusing on the practicalities of setting up and running a group for nature. We think you'll find useful as you start your Team Wilder journey in your community.

Check out the Community Empowerment Pack

Team Wilder resources

Browse our library of resources and training videos specially curated for Team Wilder, everything from managing your hedgerow to starting a community campaign. Start taking action for nature today!

Team Wilder resources

Team Wilder projects

Find out more about what is going on across Team Wilder!

Support us

Become a member

Join over 22,000 members who have made supporting nature part of their everyday life.  Get involved in activities and events, visit wonderful nature reserves, and directly contribute to preserving Somerset’s natural spaces and safeguarding vulnerable wildlife across the county.

Join us