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SEEN
Somerset Environmental
and Ecological News
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Hello and welcome to all our readers, and the many new subscribers who have recently joined us. We hope you find SEEN a useful and informative read.
In this month’s edition we report on how global warming is set to break the key limit of 1.5C for the first time. A recycling result to celebrate, the defence work starting at the Blue Anchor coastal area, near Minehead, and the North Taunton Woolaway Project which has just completed its first two green homes. Plus local news, events, grants and more.
Again, this month brings so much news to tell you about, so you'll find many articles have links to longer articles which go into more detail, so you can read more on the topics that particularly interest you. Don't forget you can get in touch if you have any ideas for our next edition. Details of how to contact us are at the foot of the newsletter.
We would love to hear from you.
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The BBC recently reported that scientists predict there's now a 66% chance we will pass the 1.5C global warming threshold between now and 2027.
The chances are rising due to emissions from human activities and a likely El Niño weather pattern later this year.
Breaking the limit for just one year is a sign that warming is accelerating and not slowing down.
Going over 1.5C every year for a decade or two would result in longer heatwaves, more intense storms, and wildfires.
Scientists say there is still time to restrict global warming by cutting emissions sharply.
What does going over 1.5C mean? The figure is not a direct measure of the world's temperature but an indicator of how much or how little the Earth has warmed or cooled compared to the long-term global average.
For decades they believed that if the world warmed by around 2C that would be the threshold of dangerous impacts - but in 2018 they significantly revised this estimate, showing that going past 1.5C would be calamitous for the world.
What is Somerset Council doing to reduce carbon emissions in the county? To make Somerset a county resilient to the inevitable effects of Climate Change our Climate Emergency Strategy sets out goals to become a carbon-neutral county by 2030 and outlines what the previous five councils and now Somerset Council intend to do to address the most important issues around the Climate and Ecological Emergency. If we all do our bit, together we can create a greener more sustainable Somerset.
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New Exmoor Woodland named in honour of King Charles III
During April, the King's representative in Somerset, Deputy Lieutenant Robert Drewett visited the site of Exmoor National Park’s next woodland creation in recognition of major woodland projects being undertaken as part of their plans to increase woodland cover. A new wood which will be named King's Wood in celebration of the coronation.
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Legacy for People and Nature on the Mendip Hills
The south facing slopes of the Mendip Hills have been named as one of five new National Nature Reserves across the country. The initiative will see the creation of the ‘King’s Series of National Nature Reserves’ named every year for the next five years – 25 in total.
For more info visit King’s Series of National Nature Reserves
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Free wildlife sessions for local groups
A new project is offering free wildlife sessions to the local community and youth groups across West Somerset. West Somerset Wildways will help people see and record the nature around them using the iNaturalist app or website. Elizabeth Atkinson, the project coordinator said: "This will help keep local wildlife on the map and protect it for the future. Everyone can help, all you need is a means of taking digital photos and access to a smartphone or computer. You don’t need to be a wildlife expert or a technical wizard: just upload your photos and iNaturalist will suggest IDs."
The project is part of Somerset Wildlife Trust’s ‘Team Wilder’ community wildlife mapping initiative, involving local communities in observing and recording wildlife as a baseline for the Trust’s 10-year Nature Recovery Programme. With the help of the people of Somerset, a digital map of the county’s nature will be created.
Elizabeth and her team of volunteers are offering wildlife talks and free, family-friendly wildlife sessions to local community and youth groups across West Somerset to get them started. To book a session or a temporary wildlife display, or for more information about the project, email Elizabeth at wswildways@somersetwildlife.org or ring 01643 821756. To view the West Somerset Wildways project on iNaturalist, go to inaturalist.org.projects.
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Wildfowl Wetland Trust nearly doubles the area of land under its management with Bridgwater Bay lease
The Wildfowl Wetland Trust (WWT) is set to nearly double the total area of land it looks after after agreeing to manage Bridgwater Bay National Nature Reserve.
One of the largest areas of intertidal mudflats in Britain, it is an internationally important feeding and roosting site for migratory waterbirds. The lease adds more than 2,600 hectares of land at the mouth of the River Parrett and Brue. WWT will seek to improve the management of the site, encouraging colonisation of previously lost plant species and spread of wetland species currently in low numbers including water voles and great crested newts. Find out more at Wildfowl Wetlands Trust.
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Avalon Marshes Centre Re-opened
Avalon Marshes are delighted to announce that the latest round of refurbishments is complete and the Avalon Marshes Centre is fully open again.
There is now a covered entrance, more undercover cafe seating, a new toilet block, and some fabulous landscaping, plus the creation of several new exhibits showing ancient buildings and even a Viking trading vessel with mast and rigging.
The Avalon Marshes are an ancient wetland landscape which lies in the heart of the Somerset Levels and Moors. It is nationally important for its rich cultural heritage and diversity of wildlife.
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Blue Corridor at Dodham Brook Yeovil
Yeovil Rivers Community Trust is working with a team of contractors to bring life, colour and sound to this uninspiring concrete section of Dodham Brook in Yeovil.
The installation of natural features over the next two months will encourage new habitats that reconnect Dodham Brook with the River Yeo which it joins downstream of Newton Road. This will create a ‘blue corridor,’ to promote the restoration of natural river processes, improve connectivity for fish and other animals, provide diversified habitats and enhance the number and abundance of different animals and plants.
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Wellington Food
Wellington Community Food has had a successful first planting session, marking the beds, putting up rabbit-proof fencing and planting 3,000 onions and 30kg of seed potatoes.
Wellington Community Food believes that communities should be highly connected to, and have ownership over, the techniques, technologies and policies of food production and distribution. It supports community networks where healthy, affordable food is produced and distributed ethically, sustainably and in harmony with the natural environment. If you would like to get involved email wellingtoncommunityfood@gmail.com, or you can read more at Wellington Community Food – Growing for Wellington
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Wivey Repair Café. Can they fix it? Yes, they can
Last month’s Wivey Repair Cafe was a Super Saturday where they were able to fix and service every item that came in. Numerous items, from a Vax cleaner to an electric tin opener, were given a new lease of life and saving them from landfill. If you have items sat in the cupboard not working, don’t throw it out and instead give it a chance of a new life at Wivey repair cafe on the 3rd Saturday of the Month, or find your nearest Repair Café at the Somerset Repair Network webpage
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Dark Skies
Earlier this year, the public were invited to take part in CPRE’s Star Count, a cosmic census to map our view of the night sky. Almost 4000 people took part across the UK
In Somerset, 106 people submitted Star Count results. With just 4.6% experiencing the darkest skies and able to count more than 30 stars. 37.7% of people who did their Star Count in Somerset saw less than ten stars.
Why are dark skies important?
Artificial light causes confusion to migrating birds, often with fatal outcomes. It interrupts natural rhythms, including the reproduction, feeding and sleeping patterns of pollinating insects, bats and nocturnal animals. In humans, exposure to light at night interrupts sleep and can disrupt the body’s production of melatonin, a brain hormone best known for its daily role in resetting the body’s biological clock.
Read more at Star Count 2023
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Students join the CPRE #2 minute litter pick project as part of Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
CPRE Somerset is working with Somerset Duke of Edinburgh Awards and SEND schools in Somerset for a new and exciting phase of their #2minute litter pick project.
Litter picking kits were given to Aurora Foxes Academy in Minehead and Avalon School in Street over winter. Between them, they now have 32 young people doing regular litter picks for their volunteering element of their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
Litter picking is rewarding and fun, but these students were set an extra challenge and were asked to count the different types of litter they found. Focusing on the worst types of litter such as plastic bottles, cans, balloons and plastic bags. The students uploaded their results to the Marine Conservation Society for their Source to Sea project.
Get involved - The best thing about the CPRE #2minute litter pick project is that anyone and everyone can join in. Look out for #2minute litter pick stations when you’re out and about, or if you'd like to get your own kit and board SUEZ are funding a limited number. More information can be found on the #2minuteboard website
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One thousand reeds planted at The Meads Eco Park Bridgwater
Seed of Hope CIC is a Not-For-Profit Social Enterprise helping people with mental health problems to change their lives through Recovery based Social and Therapeutic Horticulture.
They recently had a productive day in Bridgwater, helping out at The Meads Eco Park planting 1,000 reeds around the water’s edge alongside the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. This was followed by a visit to Tex's garden in West Street to plant a selection of their own grown plants such as sunflowers, flax, alpine strawberry's, toadflax, and lemon balm. Great work everyone.
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New figures show that nine out of ten households in the county are now recycling.
Looking at a representative sample of more than 3,000 homes in March this year, 91% were found to be actively recycling and sorting items into their boxes and Bright Blue Bag.
That is up from the 85% when this analysis was last carried out five years ago.
And when it comes to food waste recycling the improvements are even better, with 72% of households recycling compared to 62% in the 2018 survey. Industry experts WRAP consider 55% to be a high participation rate for food waste for recycling.
Sarah Dyke, Lead member for Environment and Climate Change said:
"The vast majority of people in Somerset are recycling and that’s something we can all be really proud. The jump in food waste recycling is particularly pleasing. We’ve done our best to help people recycle, but at the end of the day it comes down to more people taking the time to do the right thing."
Read more about these great results in the full press release.
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Thousands of tonnes of granite rock is starting to arrive at Blue Anchor, near Minehead, as Somerset Council’s coastal defence works begin.
Some 13,500 tonnes of rock armour will be placed against the cliffs on the West Somerset coast to help reduce continuing erosion and protect a section of the B3191 road. Read more about this at the Somerset Council website.
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Bus users in Somerset can now travel on most county routes for just £2 until October 31.
The major fare cut which is part of a national initiative funded by the Government aims to boost bus use while helping passengers save money. The £2 single fare is available from all participating operators. The initiative will apply to most routes in Somerset until 31 October. You can check here Bus it – You know it makes sense (somerset.gov.uk) to see which operators are involved in the scheme.
Remember, that the initiative applies to cross-county services, which means, for example, you can travel from Street to Bristol for just £2.
Somerset Council and the Somerset Bus Partnership have launched the ‘Bus It’ campaign to encourage more people to use bus services at a time when some routes are under threat due to lack of use. It’s hoped the extended £2 fare will provide a continuing boost to patronage and support these aims. Read more about this on our Somerset Council news web pages.
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The Somerset Council Woolaway Project has just completed its first two homes focusing on refurbishing and replacing properties.
Visit the Somerset Council's Woolaway Project page to read more and see inside this amazing one-bed bungalow, packed with high-tech green technology that keeps bills low and carbon even lower.
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Somerset’s Fixy initiative celebrates its first birthday this month, having started the repair and reuse conversation with nearly 3,000 people since its launch last May.
The celebrations coincide with this year’s, ‘The Big Fix’, a month of repair and reuse activities that started in Devon and is spreading across the UK.
The team has attended over 80 events during the last 12 months, speaking to more than 2,900 people about the benefits of breathing new life into old items.
In Somerset, Compton Dundon Repair Cafe, Glastonbury Repair Café and Taunton Repair Café are all supporting The BIG FIX 2023 by holding events. Visitors are welcome to drop in with broken household items for skilled menders to fix. You can find a full list of dates, times and locations on our Network webpage.
Last year, 50 Repair Cafés and 580 volunteers took part in The BIG FIX, mending 1,100 items and saving 31 tonnes CO2e.
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Elements - Wincanton's Climate Fair Saturday 27 May 10am - 2pm
The Balsam Centre in Wincanton is hosting a climate fair to promote wellbeing and offer practical information, advice, workshops, idea sharing, and group start-ups to offer solutions to allow everyone to engage and make a difference to the environment and climate emergency. Our Environment Specialist Cara will also be there to talk about actions Somerset Council is taking towards a greener more sustainable Somerset and how we can all do our bit to change our future.
Find out more at the EVENT | elementsclimate web page.
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 The Great Big Green Week is a nationwide event, celebrating our green spaces and highlighting the action local communities are taking to tackle climate change.
Taunton’s Big Green Week Festival - Saturday 10 June
For a fun family day out, come along to Taunton’s Great Big Green Week at Castle Green from 10am until 4pm, for green shopping market, plant-based street food, local environment organisation stands, plus music and activities for all. Get involved - Great Big Green Week
Frome’s Great Big Green Week - Saturday 10 June until Sunday 18 June
Part of the nationwide event, Frome’s Great Big Green Week will run from Saturday 10 to Sunday 18 June and is an opportunity to explore and celebrate the town’s green spaces and highlight the action Frome is taking to tackle the climate emergency. There are over 40 events happening, with the majority being FREE. Find out more at the Discover Frome web page.
Sea Watch Steart - "Porpoises and Poetry" Sunday 11 June
Join Somerset Wildlife Trust for a two hour survey for porpoises, dolphins and other marine life at Steart Marshes Nature Reserve, in conjunction with the Somerset Wilder Coast Project and the Sea Watch Foundation. 11th June at 1-4pm. No previous knowledge or training is required as experts and ID guides will be available.
Free tickets. Book now on the Wildlife Trust event page
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The Green Scythe Fair - Sunday 11 June
A fabulous family friendly event with stalls, talks, workshops on all things sustainable living and the Westcountry Scything Championship. Run by volunteers and powered only by the sun and wind, this event has something for everyone from local food, cider and ales to music and entertainment, kids area and workshops. Saturday 10 June will be a workshop day where you can book to try your hand at new skills such as rope making to making your own wooden spatula. The main event starts at 11am on Sunday and there will be a parlay at 2pm in the main tent titled Up in Smoke - Is Burning Wood Sustainable? Three experts will be discussing reasons for and against wood for fuel.
Find out more and book your tickets or workshop place at the Green Scythe Fair website.
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The Great Somerset Wildlife Count Friday 16 - Sunday 25 June
A new Somerset Wildlife Trust’s community science initiative delivered in partnership with Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC).
Its aim is to monitor changes in both the diversity (the variety) of wildlife species we have in the county and the abundance (the quantity) of species we have across Somerset which help us track the health of the habitats and ecosystems that exist to support them (and us) Once a year they ask everyone to keep their eyes peeled for a handful of species over an extended period of time for The Big Count! Join in The Big Count 2023 here.
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Watchet Summer Beach Clean - Saturday 17 June
Join Plastic Free Watchet for their summer beach clean and litter pick on Saturday 17th June. Meet at 11am on the slipway at West Street Beach. Please wear suitable clothing and bring gardening gloves. Litter pickers and sacks will be provided. When the work is done, you’ll be rewarded with free hot drinks and cake. For more information contact pfwcommunitylead@gmail.com
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Minehead BioBlitz - Saturday 17 June
A fun day of free nature-based activities on Minehead Seafront including seashore safaris, arts and crafts workshops, seashore surveys and wildlife spotting. Find out more at the Minehead Bay Website.
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Bee Alert Bee Walk - 11am Sunday 18 June
Join the Somerset Wildlife Trust for a celebration of the great British countryside and the bees that keep it running.
A walk between Wiveliscombe and Wellington will explore the wildlife corridors that connect our communities. Join us for as much or as little as you like. Along the way we'll look out for wildlife, recording what we see using spotter sheets and wildlife recording app Seek. At each meeting point we will have family friendly activities to help you explore the wonderful world of wild bees! Find out more and book at the Somerset Wildlife Eventbrite web page.
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Wild Matters - Water online event - Tuesday 20 June 7pm
“Wilder Matters" is a series of online events getting to the heart of the biggest environmental topics of the day and their relevance to Somerset.
June's event will discuss the headline hitting topic of water quality.
Book your place here Wilder matters: Water Quality | Somerset Wildlife Trust
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Brean Down Sea Shore Survey
Tuesday 4 July 11am - 3pm
Join a team of local volunteers to carry out a seashore survey as part of an ongoing survey of intertidal habitats along the Somerset coast. The data sets are being collated as part of a national survey being carried out by Wildlife Trusts across the UK.
Meet at the Brean Down Café at 11am. You don’t need to have any prior experience of ecological survey work or of seashore ecology as there will be experts on hand and equipment provided.
For more information and to book a place visit ShoreSearch July Survey 2023 (Brean Down | Somerset Wildlife Trust).
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The Young Darwin Scholarship is a Field Studies Council initiative supporting those aged 16-25 with a real interest in the natural world and inspiring the next generation of ‘Darwins’.
The scholarship starts with a heavily subsidised 5-day residential trip, or series of days, at locations across the UK, with each experience centering around time outdoors in environmentally engaging spaces. Scholars will continue to be supported for three years following their experience through a range of exclusive webinars and events, subsidised places on our natural history courses and environmental activities, all supported by a dedicated staff member.
You can find out more at Young Darwin Scholarship
Deadline: 9pm Sunday 4 June 2023.
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Be a Nature Recovery Volunteer
Mendip Hills AONB are looking for volunteers to help carry out regular tasks every other Wednesday 10am - 3pm Nature Recovery Volunteers help conserve, enhance and maintain the special qualities of the AONB by assisting the AONB and Volunteer Ranger team with the practical management of nature reserves through varied management tasks. Task days are led by a staff member or experienced Volunteer Ranger. Full training and health and safety will be provided for each task. You will be working as part of a fantastic team of volunteers of diverse backgrounds who come together to work towards enhancing the AONB.
Find out more at the Sparks A Change website.
And we can all be nature recovery volunteer wherever you are. Look out for young trees that would appreciate a drink in the dry weather. This will give them a better chance to thrive.
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The Blackdown Hills Countryside Fund is to help conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area and supporting communities living there to flourish. The fund accepts applications from organisations located within and/or providing benefit to the defined area of the Blackdown Hills AONB Find out if your Parish is within the qualifying area at the Devon Community Foundation Blackdown Hills web page
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Southern Co-op Greener Neighbourhoods Local Funding
If you are a charity or local good cause group trying to build a Greener neighbourhood for your community, then you can apply for a Greener donation of £500. Visit the Neighbourly website.
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Positively Green
Everyday tips to help the planet and calm climate
From journalist and Positive News partnerships editor Sarah La Brecque, National Trust’s Positively Green is an informative and captivating guide to sustainable living. Positively Green provides advice on how to reduce your environmental impact, all while easing climate anxiety and boosting mental wellbeing.
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This is your newsletter, and we want to hear about the great environmental work happening where you live, or what you do to make a difference every day with your brilliant eco hacks and tips.
You can make suggestions about what you would like to see more of in future editions of SEEN and have your say on previous stories and topics.
We would love to hear from you. Get in touch with the team at climateemergency@somerset.gov.uk
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