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Climate Change and Biodiversity

July 2026

Tree vandals destroy parts of ancient woodland habitat 

We have received reports that there has been a resurgence of thefts of wood from Upper Fullingpits Wood and Penenden Heath.

As you can see from the photograph below, taken at Upper Fullingpits Wood, a chainsaw was used and there were vehicle tracks across amenity grass.

Aside from the fact that this is a crime, Upper Fullingpits Wood is known as a stag beetle breeding site – in fact, 13% of the UK’s plants and animals are dependent upon dead wood habitats. This problem, sadly, is not exclusive to Maidstone Borough Council-owned land.

Wood decomposition is one of a woodland’s essential recycling processes; it can provide a nutrient rich habitat for fungi, a nursery for beetle larvae and a food source for birds and other animals.

It is important to our ecosystems to preserve this natural process – so please, if you see any deadwood, leave it where it is.

If you feel the condition of the wood is causing a danger to you or the public, please contact the landowners for further information.

Water for wildlife - how can we help?

With periods of limited rainfall becoming more common, access to fresh water can be a challenge for many of our native wildlife species. Birds, hedgehogs, bees, butterflies, frogs and other animals all rely on water for drinking, bathing and staying healthy. Providing a simple water source can make a real difference. 

One of the easiest ways to help is to leave out a shallow dish of fresh water. Placing a few stones or pebbles in the dish creates safe landing spots for bees and other insects, allowing them to drink without the risk of drowning and providing an escape route if they fall in.

Bird baths are another excellent way to support wildlife, especially during hot weather. Birds use water not only for drinking but also for bathing, which helps keep their feathers in good condition. 

If you have space, consider creating a wildlife pond with shallow, gently sloping edges so that any animal that falls in can easily climb back out.   

Even small actions can have a big impact. By providing clean, accessible water and ensuring safe escape routes, we can help wildlife cope during dry spells and support biodiversity. 

Sources: The Wildlife Trusts, RSPCA and RSPB guidance on providing water for wildlife.

© iStock

Eco Hub 2026 

The Maidstone EcoHub is BACK for its fifth year!

Join us for workshops, arts and crafts or to speak to our excellent partners to celebrate the wonderful biodiversity our borough has to offer.

Location: Creative Maidstone Community Arts Hub, Gabriel's Hill, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6JR

Dates and times:

Are you interested in contributing, either as a stallholder or volunteer?

Please email: ClimateAndBiodiversity@Maidstone.gov.uk

Charity Pop-Up shop for MBC staff

As part of our annual wellbeing week, the Sustainability Champions of Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) transformed an old office space into a Pop-Up Charity Shop!

In the UK alone, an average of 73% of our unwanted clothes end up in landfill, many of them perfectly good items that could be loved in another home. The Champions wanted to promote circular economy textile initiatives, proving that one man's trash is another’s treasure!

The Sustainability Champions are an internal team that promote and deliver sustainable initiatives throughout the organisation, both as a group and within their own teams. The team worked together to sort through copious donations, set up rails and man the shop for four days during their lunch breaks, raising £196 for Make a Difference to Maidstone, as well as donating any unsold clothes to the charity shop. 

Food waste and food poverty tackled by The Bread and Butter Thing

A low-cost food hub where residents can get over £35 worth of groceries for £8.50, has opened at Blackthorn Charity.

The new Bread and Butter Thing hub is the fourth of its kind in Maidstone and provides residents with access to affordable, high-quality food. It is designed to help households stretch their budgets while reducing food waste.

The scheme redistributes surplus food from supermarkets, manufacturers and farms that would otherwise go to waste, ensuring good quality produce is made available to local communities at a low cost.

Members can sign up for free and choose to collect food as often as they need. Each week, they can receive bags of fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled items and cupboard essentials for a fraction of the usual supermarket cost.

The continued success of these hubs follows Maidstone Borough Council backing the rollout of The Bread and Butter Thing through a one-off Cabinet-approved investment in December 2024 to support expansion to additional locations across the borough.

The new hub at Blackthorn builds on the success of existing locations in Park Wood, Shepway and Trinity, extending the reach of the scheme and supporting more residents across the borough.

With around an estimated 9.5–10 million tonnes of food wasted each year in the UK, the project not only helps people, but our planet too. By redistributing surplus food, The Bread-and-Butter Thing helps reduce the amount of edible food sent to landfill.

Food waste: 

• The UK wastes around 9.5–10 million tonnes of food every year
• UK households waste around £14–£15 billion worth of food each year
• The average household wastes around £470 of food annually
• Food waste generates around 25 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually in the UK
• In Kent, around 30,000–36,000 tonnes of food waste is collected each year
• Food waste makes up about 28% of household rubbish in Kent

• Food waste in Kent is processed to generate energy and fertiliser

Food insecurity:

• Around 7.5 million people live in food insecure households in the UK
• Around 11% of the UK population experiences food poverty
• Around 5% of households have gone a whole day without eating due to lack of money or access to food
• Around 18% of children live in food insecure households
• Around 1 in 9 families with children report skipping meals or eating smaller meals

Help shape Maidstone's future: Call for Sites launched for New Local Plan

We are running a “Call for Sites” to gather suggestions for land that could be used for the new Local Plan. This plan will guide future development across the borough, including housing, jobs, green spaces, and infrastructure.

Submitting a site is an early step and does not guarantee it will be approved, as all proposals will be carefully assessed. The Local Plan helps ensure that growth for housing, employment, retail, leisure, green spaces and more, is managed properly, with supporting services and protection for important landscapes.

Anyone can take part using official submission forms, and there will be further opportunities for public input later. The deadline for submissions is 23 August 2026.

If you have or know of land that you would like the council to consider for inclusion in the New Local Plan, please submit your site via the link below. 

Submission window: 15 June 2026 to 11:59pm on 23 August 2026.

Showcasing
Mote Park's bugs!

As part of an internal scheme to get staff more connected with biodiversity, our Biodiversity Rangers team led a small group of council employees on a bug hunt around Mote Park. They found a large range of wonderful bugs, which can be seen in the pictures along with their names. 

Alongside these species, the team found a variety of butterflies and flies thriving in the long grass. Their presence highlights the vital role that longer grassland, verges and banks play in supporting wildlife and biodiversity, and shows why 'No Mow May' and continued wildlife-friendly mowing practices are so important.

Where do our electrical items go to be recycled?

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, or WEEE, and is an industry term for any discarded item requiring electricity. Recycling such items comes with unique procedures and challenges, often aiming to preserve precious metals and avoid fires caused by batteries.

Maidstone Borough Council, along with our waste contractor Suez and partner local authority Swale Boroug Council, visited the SWEEEP Kuusakoski recycling site in Sittingbourne to gain insight into the process of recycling our electronic waste, and the importance of remaining vigilant when recycling batteries and other flammable items.  

SWEEEP Kuusakoski are one of the leading WEEE recycling centres in the UK. They use a variety of different methods to separate electrical items and recycle the most valuable metals from them. 

Care for the River Medway

Coronation Square, Lockmeadow
Thursday 23 July 2026

The River Medway has shaped the borough of Maidstone through community, history and wildlife.

Like many rivers across the UK, it faces growing pressures of pollution and habitat loss.

We are supporting the Friends of the River Medway's 'Caring for the River' engagement day. This day invites people of all walks of life to take part in creative activities, direct action and see what 'River Guardianship' can look like in practice - and even encourage you to become one!

Throughout the day,  you can expect:

• Raft building
• Citizen science sessions
• A guided walk to Allington Lock
• Meeting likeminded people who care about the future of the River Medway
• A fully accessible event for all mobility needs

This event is free, and you can sign up on Eventbrite below; please note, booking is not mandatory and you can turn up on the day. 

Have Your Say on Life in Maidstone

We're inviting residents to share their views on living in Maidstone as part of our Resident Survey 2026.

We want to hear about your day-to-day experience of living here, from your local neighbourhood to the services you use and rely on.

What matters to you most in your local area?

Your feedback will help shape future services, priorities and investment across the borough.

The survey takes just 9–12 minutes to complete and covers topics including:

 - Local communities
 - Health and wellbeing
 - Parks and green spaces
 - Opportunities and skills
 - Council services 

As a thank you, everyone who completes the survey will receive a 15% discount at Go Ape, Leeds Castle and will be entered into a prize draw to win a range of local prizes.

The consultation closes on 30 August 2026.

Take part today and help shape Maidstone's future.

Grants and Funding

Government EV charge point grants

If you rent or own a flat, you could get help towards the cost of installing an electric vehicle charger. The Government’s EV chargepoint grant offers up to 75% off installation costs (up to £500), making it easier to switch to cleaner, greener travel.

To qualify, you’ll need an eligible vehicle and access to private off-street parking.
Find out more and apply via the button below. 

Get a funded heat pump - and the support to install it in your own home!

Start at Home is a scheme run by NESTA that helps heating engineers install a heat pump in their own property, with up to £7,500 of kit covered by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant.

Hands-on installation in your own home is one of the best ways to build real confidence with heat pump work — and that shows when you're talking to customers.

Here's how it works:

1. Sign up with a scheme provider 
2. Get your heat pump kit, funded by a government grant (up to £7,500)
3. Get support with design and installation
4. Walk away with the skills and credibility to offer heat pumps to your customers

Grants for charity environmental and social wellbeing projects

Funding is available through the Calisen Impact Charitable Trust for UK-registered charities delivering projects that create positive environmental, social or wellbeing outcomes.

The programme offers financial support for initiatives that align with these aims, helping charities make a tangible difference in their communities. Applications are open year-round, with funding awarded in rounds, and eligible charities are encouraged to apply online with clear details about their project and its anticipated impact

Tree Council Grants

The Tree Council actively supports community tree, hedgerow, and orchard projects that boost agricultural productivity and create publicly accessible green spaces that promote physical and mental well-being. 

There are multiple grants available, including:

• Branching Out Fund - Grants of between £250 and £2,500 for community groups, schools, small registered charities, and Tree Warden Networks (among others) – with a quicker decision for those seeking funding below £500. UK wide.
• National Highways 3 Million Trees Project - Free trees only for planting projects in England. A selection of tree species, with orders of between 2,500 – 50,000 whips available to a wide range of applicants, including charities, farms, education institutions and more.
• Trees Outside Woodland Fund – Grants of between £10,000 and £40,000 for local authorities and registered charities (including heritage sites) with incomes over £100k. England only.

Get Involved

Recycle Your Blister Packs

Little pack, BIG impact!

Did you know those aluminium and plastic medicine blister packs you throw away can actually be recycled?

While they’re not accepted in your household recycling bin, they can be recycled through special schemes, and it’s worth doing!

Blister packs are made from mixed materials that take hundreds of years to break down in landfill. By recycling them, we help reduce waste, protect wildlife, and conserve resources.

Several local pharmacies across Maidstone, including participating Superdrug and independent chemists, now collect used blister packs for specialist recycling. Simply save them up in a bag and drop them off on your next visit.

It’s estimated that if every UK household recycled their blister packs it would save 1,000 tonnes of CO2 each year, the equivalent of taking 500 cars off the road!  

'Bugs Matter' citizen science campaign

1 April – 30 September 2026

Take part in Bugs Matter,  a simple citizen science survey helping track the health of our insect populations. Insects play a vital role in pollination, food chains and healthy ecosystems, yet numbers are declining and your help is needed to understand why.

Using a free app, you can record “bug splats” on your number plate after everyday journeys. It's a quick and surprisingly powerful way to measure insect abundance. The survey is based on the “windscreen phenomenon”, the observation that there are far fewer insects hitting our cars than in decades past, helping scientists understand long-term declines.

Every journey counts (even if you record zero results). It’s quick, easy, and a great way to support nature recovery.

Help protect the River Medway by becoming a River Guardian

Do you want to make a difference for your local river? The South East Rivers Trust is encouraging residents to become River Guardians on the Medway, helping to tackle plastic pollution and protect wildlife. Volunteers are supported with free equipment and can adopt a stretch of river, carrying out simple actions like litter picking and reporting issues.

The River Medway is a vital part of Maidstone’s natural environment, supporting a wide range of wildlife and providing an important blue corridor through the borough. From kingfishers and fish to riverside habitats, it plays a key role in local biodiversity,  but it is increasingly under pressure from pollution, particularly plastics. By getting involved, you can help protect this much-loved river, improve habitats and keep it healthy for future generations.

Taking part is also a great way to get outdoors, connect with nature and be part of a growing community taking practical action for the environment. And it's all happening right on our doorstep!

Anti-Idling signs for sites across the borough 

We still have a number of bright and colourful anti-idling banners to offer to schools and other areas, where children and other vulnerable groups gather, or places where drivers frequently idle, adding to air pollution and wasting fuel. These banners were designed by children in Kent as part of a campaign, and their messages help remind drivers to switch off their engines for the benefit of people and planet.

Permission from the landowner will be needed where the banner is affixed

Upcoming Events 

From Source to Sea - River Pilgrimage 2026

17–27 July 2026

Back for its second year, this 10-day walking journey along the River Medway brings people together to connect with nature, community and the river, itself.

The event combines mindful walking with hands-on environmental action such as litter picks, citizen science and workshops, alongside creative and reflective activities. Open to people of all backgrounds, whether for a single day or the full journey, it’s a great opportunity for those interested in nature, wellbeing, environmental action or community connection to get involved and make a positive contribution while experiencing the landscape in a meaningful way

Maidstone's Repair Café

Maidstone Market
1 August

The Maidstone Repair Café is a gathering that happens on the first Saturday of the month, where you can bring along broken items and get help from skilled volunteers to fix them, saving waste while learning something new.

August's theme is Children and Families. Free to attend and open to all, it’s a great opportunity to connect, share skills, and be part of a more sustainable community.

Maidstone Market
1 August

The Maidstone Repair Café is a gathering that happens on the first Saturday of the month, where you can bring along broken items and get help from skilled volunteers to fix them, saving waste while learning something new.

August's theme is Children and Families. Free to attend and open to all, it’s a great opportunity to connect, share skills, and be part of a more sustainable community.

Maidstone CAN Chat

Lockmeadow Entertainment Complex, Barker Road ME16 8SF

Monday 20 July, 7-9pm

Join the Maidstone CAN Chat — a relaxed and welcoming space to connect, share ideas, and take action for the environment in Maidstone.

Whether you’re part of a local group or just curious about getting involved, this is your chance to introduce projects, exchange ideas, and get advice and support from others who care. The group will meet from 7pm so you can grab food and drinks, with the discussion starting at 7:30pm in the Love Food @ Lockmeadow food court. Come along, get inspired, and be part of the conversation.

To promote your event through the Climate Change & Biodiversity newsletter please email climateandbiodiversity@maidstone.gov.uk

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