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SEEN
Somerset Environmental
and Ecological News
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Autumn is well and truly here; the clocks are about to go back and September seems a distant memory but won't be forgotten. With an average temperature of 15.2°C it was the joint-warmest September on record since 1884 according to provisional Met Office statistics, level with the 2006 record figure and statistics indicate this is 'substantially influenced' by the impact of climate change. Let’s all keep working to make this a rare occurrence and do everything we can to keep our carbon emissions down and reduce global warming.
Other topics this month include the new State of Nature Report, which worryingly shows nature is still seriously declining across the UK, along with an exciting story of sightings of dormice at Chard Reservoir. There are also lots of new events and grants to share, along with community news and how to be energy savvy this winter.
Remember we can include your green news, events, and eco tips here too, so don’t be shy and tell us what’s happening where you are.
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 Our Chard Reservoir Countryside team have exciting news! Their latest dormouse survey finally gave them a sighting of a female hazel dormouse in one of the holly bushes. They have found evidence of these endangered creatures before, but this is the first true sighting of one in the flesh - a great find, and it’s so wonderful to know that habitats at the reservoir are supporting these precious animals.
Obviously, if you are visiting and do see our dormouse boxes or tubes about the site, please don't disturb them. The surveys are carried out by a member of the team with a dormouse license - it is an offence to handle and survey them without a license holder, and we don’t want to put more pressure on these valuable mice!
Learn more about beautiful Chard Reservoir LNR at the Visit South Somerset Website and you can follow them on Facebook.
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Dave Huxtable Pinkery Centre Manager, Sarah Bryan CEO of Exmoor National Park Authority, Andrea Davis, Chairperson of Exmoor National Park Authority, and Learning and Engagement Manager Ben Totterdell
This innovative project, which has been funded by a Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme government grant, means the centre will be able to produce electricity from logs from the Authority’s sustainably managed woods.
The new biomass boiler has replaced outdated fossil fuel systems and will supply renewable heat and hot water for the entire site, including the classrooms and accommodation units.
The project has been funded by £115,211 from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix Finance. It will deliver 605 tonnes of CO2 savings over its lifetime, which is more than 30 tonnes of CO2 per year.
The popular thermal imaging camera loan scheme now relaunched across Somerset Libraries as part of the 'Go Green at Your Library' initiative, has just won the Initiative Award from the Southwest Regional Library Service. Congratulations to everyone involved.
Borrowing a thermal imaging camera from your local library this winter will help you identify where improved draught proofing and insulation and other ways through retrofit support via Retrofit Somerset can improve your home, wellbeing and save you money on energy bills. Contact your local library for details on how to borrow the thermal camera attachments for smart phones and tablets.
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The Somerset Retrofit project – a collaboration of Somerset Climate Action Network, Somerset Council, Frome, Bruton and Glastonbury Town Councils wants to hear from Somerset residents to get their views about retrofit (home energy efficiency and wellbeing improvements) and what a new advisory service should incorporate. Have your say today.
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Call out to local businesses!
SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, the waste and recycling collections contractor for Somerset Council, has recently sponsored three refill kits for established 2-minute litter-picking stations on a yearly basis, as well as funding the placement of a new station in Brean. They are now funding an additional limited number of 2-minute litter-picking stations to be placed around Somerset.
This opportunity is part of the Social Value and Environmental commitments SUEZ would like to integrate into the county. They are keen to provide these in areas in need of a great way to encourage residents in the local area to help reduce litter and are looking for suitable locations. As part of the funding, they will ask for feedback on their usage.
Learn more about the 2-minute litter picking stations on The 2 Minute Foundation website.
If you are a business, or an employee who thinks their employer would be interested in hosting a board and kit, you can find out more or apply for one by emailing somersetinfo.uk@suez.com with information about your business and why you think a board would be a good addition to your local area.
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 Geoff Rowland in his trademark red hat, with some of the Monday dry-stone walling volunteers at Ham Hill Country Park
Following on from #GeoDiversityDay on 6 October, and as part of #EarthScienceWeek from 8 to 14 October, the Ham Hill Monday volunteers continue with the restoration of the historic dry-stone walls on the Ham Hill plateau. These walls age from 200 to 400 years, so are worth the love and effort to preserve them.
The walls are testament to the unique Geo heritage of Ham Hill and allow stock proofing for flexible grazing management of the wildflower-rich plateau meadows. They also provide sheltered habitats for a wide range of plants and animals adding to the biodiversity of the country park.
If you would like to join the merry band of Monday volunteers at Ham Hill, or find out more about learning the ancient craft of dry-stone walling, contact our expert Assistant Ranger Geoff at geoffrey.rowland@somerset.gov.uk.
A pair of beavers have been saved from drowning in an overflow drain. Rescuers were called to reports of an otter trapped in a metre of water in Frome on Friday 20 October, but on arrival were surprised to find two beavers.
The UK's largest rodent, beavers were released into the wild in Somerset as part of a reintroduction programme. The creatures are thought to be last year's young.
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The start of work to build Somerset’s first ever carbon net zero school was marked with a timber framing ceremony last month, after land at the Orchard Grove housing development in Taunton was handed from the Orchard Grove Consortium to Somerset Council.
Orchard Grove Primary School is expected to welcome staff and students from September 2024.
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We have given final approval for essential maintenance and grant-funded ‘decarbonisation’ improvements at the centre which is owned by the Council and managed by Everyone Active.
Works are expected to start in mid-November and should deliver carbon savings of nearly 220 tonnes per year.
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Over the next few weeks, we will be installing an additional 685 metres of paths at the Stockmoor and Wilstock Country Park, Bridgwater, which will complement the paths already on site.
This project supports our wider aims to link The Meads Eco-Park with the Country Park to increase access for all and open up walking and cycling opportunities away from roads.
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We're part of a joint pilot scheme taking a water storage solution direct to residents in Chard to encourage them to join the fight to reduce flood risk in the town.
Chard residents are being urged to back a new phase of the drive to reduce historic local issues with flooding by joining a pilot project that could see more than 800 water butts handed out to homes in the Somerset town.
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 The Mendip Hills AONB Service is hosting an annual forum to focus on nature recovery. Helping nature to recover is a strong focus in the media right now due to the release of the State of Nature Report that highlighted the decline of nature across the country.
Expert speakers will share their knowledge on some of the ANOB’s eight chosen champion species including the cheddar pink flower of Somerset and the black oil beetle, helping us to understand why they are so special, and should not just be conserved, but assisted in recovering their numbers.
Attendees will be able to learn from local landowners about their experiences of promoting nature on their land and the different restorative approaches that can be taken. You’ll also be able to view the exclusive new videos on the champion species with TV wildlife presenter Mike Dilger, and a tour of the farm to learn how award winning farmers Andy Wear and Jen Hunter have successfully farmed in sympathy with wildlife for many years.
Everyone is welcome but space is limited.
For a full itinerary of all the the brilliant eco events happening across Somerset, check out our events page. There's something for everyone, so click the button below to find out what's going on, and don't forget to let us know about your eco events at climateemergency@somerset.gov.uk so we can list them too! |
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 The most comprehensive report on the UK's current biodiversity. The report lays bare the stark fact that nature is still seriously declining across the UK. The data shows that since 1970 UK species have declined by about 19% on average, and nearly 1 in 6 species (16.1%) are now threatened with extinction.
This is a timely reminder, if we needed it, that the nature crisis isn’t restricted to far-off places like the Amazon or Great Barrier Reef. It's right here, on our doorstep. We are losing familiar wildlife that we cherish including the hazel dormouse and skylark.
To help recover nature here in Somerset, the Council has been appointed by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) to lead the preparation of a new Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for Somerset, and over the next 12 to 18 months, we'll work with Somerset Local Nature Partnership to establish what’s needed to protect and restore Somerset’s nature to benefit the biodiversity of habitats and species. We'll also consult with Somerset residents, businesses, farmers, landowners, and communities who will have the opportunity to have their say and contribute to the strategy. We'll keep you updated, so that you can play your part.
 The Wildlife Trusts are running a survey to find out what people in the UK really think about nature and how we, as a society, should protect it. Results will also help The Wildlife Trusts to hold the government to account over its environmental policies and priorities.
Have your say on what nature means to you:
Following a 2-year break due to the pandemic, the Somerset Otter Group are restarting their annual survey and are looking for volunteers who will each cover their own patch of water. No experience is needed as volunteers will be trained.
Email sogjopearse@gmail.com for more information about the role.
For otter action and updates, follow Somerset Otter Group on Facebook.
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CSE (Centre for Sustainable Energy) have set up The Rural Communities Energy Support Networ k to deliver free, online or in person training sessions that cover the basics of energy advice, training can be adapted to meet the needs of the organisation and specific topic training is also available.
On going support is offered in the form of 1-1 Mentoring, support sessions, resources such as videos, fact sheets and step-by-step guides, and an online forum for peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing.
Be Safe and Warm Somerset
Another project run by CSE is the Be Safe and Warm Somerset initiative, which offers advice and support to all residents on anything energy related.
The project focusses on the energy efficiency of the client’s home with the low cost or no cost things that can be done to reduce bills, and supplier or billing issues.
Somerset residents can call the advice line or be referred to an Energy Advisor to support them with their issue. CSE visits client facing groups to give talks and presentations and provides advice surgeries in different venues around the County. Contact Safe and Warm Somerset at safeandwarmsomerset@cse.org.uk.
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Check out the many grants and funding opportunities for your community green projects.
Click on the button below to find out more.
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Bristol born Benedict Macdonald tells how Britain has all the space it needs for an epic return of its wildlife. Only six per cent of our country is built upon. It's time to turn things around.
Praised as "visionary" by conservationists and landowners alike, Rebirding sets out a compelling manifesto for restoring Britain's wildlife, rewilding its species and restoring rural jobs – to the benefit of all.
Available to buy online and in all good book stores.
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 Chris Packham goes on a personal journey to decide for himself if it's ethically acceptable to break the law to protest against government policies on climate change.
The film follows those pioneering community energy as they break down legislative barriers and take power back from big energy companies to put it in the hands of locals. It's an inspiring watch that shows the true power of community action and how community energy has the power to benefit the environment, and build healthier, financially stable communities.
What is going on beneath the surface?
Paul Whitehouse travels around England and Wales to explore why rivers and waterways are in decline and what needs to be done to protect them.
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The weather is on the turn and many of us will be switching on the heating if we haven't already.
The new energy price cap has set the amount suppliers can charge customers this coming winter. Typical bills have fallen back from last year's levels, but the overall cost of living means it’s still a challenge.
Our Somerset Energy Saver website helps people in Somerset reduce their energy bills and learn more about what financial assistance is available, as well as how to make free minor changes, or bigger adjustments to make your home more efficient and comfortable.
Here are 15 FREE things we can all do now to make instant carbon and money savings and click on the button below to find out how you can be energy savvy this winter.
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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 at climateemergency@somerset.gov.uk.
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