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Somerset Environmental
and Ecological News
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The season of rebirth is unfurling its tender petals, blossoms sway in the gentle breeze, and birds compose symphonies among the budding leaves. In this verdant tapestry, hope blooms anew, and life dances to the rhythm of nature.
Despite the rain, spring is definitely springing! These words really inspired us and we hope they have the same affect on you, and put a spring in your step!
Read on for all our February climate news...
Best eco wishes
The Climate Team
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Help Somerset's tree cover grow
 Our Woodland Creation Officers, James Chapman and Craig Daters, are entirely funded by the Woodland Acceleration Fund and they are with us to spearhead the delivery of the new Somerset Tree Strategy.
A key aim of the strategy is to increase the county’s tree cover from 6% to at least the national average of 13% over ten years. It’s a tall order, but possible if we harness the potential of land across Somerset.
Craig and James are appealing for anyone who may have land available for tree planting to get in touch as soon as possible. Few of us will have the land itself, but many of us will be involved in schools, colleges, parish councils, community groups or know others who might have land that fits the bill. The officers have a wealth of experience and knowledge about what, where, and how to plant and are here to help. If you, or an organisation you are involved with, have an interest in planting trees and are not sure where to start please don’t hesitate to make contact.
The Somerset Tree Strategy was launched last year to grow more trees and connect people with nature. We believe that woodlands, forestry and orchards are good for our health, our environment and our economy.
To get involved, get more information, or share your tree planting story and photos with us, please contact woodlandcreation@somerset.gov.uk. Together we can do this!
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 A recent tech amnesty at Frome Town Hall, hosted by Somerset Community Interest Company (CIC) Donate It resulted in 500 donations of unwanted digital devices. The devices collected are wiped of data, restored and distributed to people who need them, with any non-usable items recycled responsibly. 70% of global toxic waste is linked to discarded tech in landfill, and the precious metals inside devices, such as copper and cobalt, are much more intensive and difficult to mine than they are to recycle.
Donations can be dropped at Frome Town Hall during office hours at any time in the year. Future tech amnesty dates will be advertised on the Frome Town Council News website.
If you are not local to Frome, there are 37 drop off points across the south west.
Earlier this month, the Green Ilminster Community Group spent a life affirming couple of hours seeking out and recording some important trees, to be entered on the Woodland Trust Ancient tree Inventory map - offering them an extra layer of protection for the future. There are still many trees to be recorded in the Ilminster area, so if you would like to learn more and get involved let them know. They say there is also actual tree hugging involved too!
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You may not be surprised to know that fossil-fuelled vehicles generate the most greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in the county. We can all help reduce this by using our cars less or switching to an electric vehicle, but if this is not within reach, there are a number of car and lift share opportunities in Somerset. If you live in or near Frome, you can join the Co-wheels car share scheme and hire one of the cars located around the town for just an hour or a full day.
Another choice is to use the Lift Share App and travel with others going to or near the same destination. It’s easy to use and links you with others looking for or offering lifts.
There are also opportunities for other towns in Somerset with enough interest to set up a car share scheme. Companies such as Enterprise Car Club can offer electric vehicle sharing schemes.
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Flood anniversary: resilience and adaptation a key part of Somerset's future
This winter marks ten years since the wettest winter for 250 years left large swathes of the county underwater for weeks, devastating communities, businesses and farming.
February 4, 2014, saw the then Prince of Wales escorted through flood waters to the cut-off village Muchelney to meet residents and farmers.
The following day, two severe flood warnings were issued for parts of the Somerset Levels, with residents in several villages advised to evacuate and Royal Marines deployed to help reinforce flood defences at Burrowbridge.
While progress has been made on flood risk management mitigation, climate change means that resilience and adaptation will need to be part of Somerset’s future.
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 Over a few sessions, our dedicated volunteers and Countryside team at Chard Reservoir Local Nature Reserve have laid young blackthorn growth in an attempt to rejuvenate the once well-established hedge that used to be there.
Not only will the hedgerow aim to provide habitat in the form of a wildlife corridor, but it's also hoped that the new young shoots that hopefully will appear will provide a more suitable habitat for the Brown Hairstreak butterfly to lay eggs - a species of conservation concern that we know to have eggs present across the reserve.
In addition, 60 blackthorn and hazel saplings were planted as an attempt to fill the gap left in this hedgerow. Given time, the hedgerow will stretch along the entire path next to it. These plants are encompassed in the well adopted willow style fencing that you see in various areas around the reserve.
If you are interested in getting involved at Chard Reservoir Local Nature Reserve check out our web page.
Storm hit oak lives on
Sadly, a great oak at Yeovil Recreation Centre fell victim to storm Jocelyn at the end of last month. The majestic tree was estimated to be around 250 years old. Our arborist team were called in to make it safe and made the decision to leave the trunk on site and make it into a bench and seats. It's always sad to lose a tree, but we hope it's new purpose will lighten some of the sadness and bring joy to those who use it.
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 The Government has set out 48 Local Nature Recovery Strategies across England, and Somerset Council has been appointed and funded by Defra to lead Somerset’s.
On 20 February Somerset Council Somerset and the Somerset Local Nature Partnership invited environmental professionals from across the county to a pivotal meeting in Taunton to address the pressing challenges facing nature in our county and how best to support its recovery.
With engaged and productive discussions, experts from a wide variety of sectors discussed and planned potential measures and actionable solutions that could be included in the Somerset Local Nature Recovery Strategy. The diverse cross-collaboration provided an invaluable springboard for advancing the evidence base for the strategy’s Statement of Biodiversity Priorities, with the aim of restoring and linking up habitats so that species can thrive and agree on the best places to help nature recover, plant trees and woodland, restore peatland, mitigate flood risk, and create green spaces for local people to enjoy.
Prior to this, on 19 February, Steve Dury our Senior Commissioning Officer for Environment and Water, who is leading the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Somerset, gave a presentation and answered questions at the Somerset Branch Meeting of the Country Land Business Association, which was also held in Taunton. In setting priorities for nature action, Local Nature Recovery Strategies are likely to shape opportunities for landowners and managers, so engaging with them is crucial to the successful development of the strategy. Somerset Council is working with the Country Land Business Association, the National Farmers Union, and the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group South West to organise and promote engagement activities with farmers.
We are thrilled that the people of Somerset are stepping up to have their say on how nature matters to them. Hundreds of you have already given your views and you still can.
Download this poster to encourage more people to have their say on how Somerset's nature matters to them.
Put it up where you live: Stick it on your community notice board, in your local café, or even your workplace. Spread the word!
Share it digitally: Post it on social media, email it to friends, or add it to your website. Let’s create a buzz!
By championing local nature recovery, you’re contributing to a greener, healthier future for all. Thank you!
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Love your stuff for longer and take your broken electrical items to Repair Cafes and Fixy events. Check out the dates below or visit the Fixy web page to find out more!
- Thursday 22 February, 11am – 2pm. Fixy stall (not van) at Abri Housing Association Community Day. Cole Place Flats, Chard TA20 2BA.
- Saturday 24 February, 10am – 12 noon. Fixy van at launch of Street Repair Cafe at Quaker Meeting House, 26 High Street, Street BA16 0EB.
- Saturday 9 March, 9am – 2pm. Fixy van supporting Community Action Groups (CAG) Somerset welcome to the network event at Art Bank, 13 High Street, Shepton Mallet BA4 5AA.
- Wednesday 13 March, 11am – 2pm. Fixy van in carpark at Westlands Entertainment Venue, Westbourne Close, Yeovil BA20 2DD.
- 28 April, 11am – 3pm. Fixy van supporting Farrington Gurney Parish Council sustainability event at Memorial Hall Church Lane, Farrington Gurney BS39 6UA (just across the border into Bath and NE Somerset)
Watch the Fixy video to find out more
Check out all the other brilliant eco events happening across Somerset from spawn counts to wild women walks.
Click on the Event Calendar button below to find out what's on and let us know about your eco events at climateemergency@somerset.gov.uk so we help you promote them here.
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 Are you interested in sustainable heating and heat pumps? Is this something you are considering for your home?
Retrofit Somerset is a partnership project funded by MSC Foundation and is being delivered by Somerset Climate Action Network, Somerset Council & a number of town and parish councils, Lendology, Somerset Independence Plus and the Centre for Sustainable Energy. The project has engaged with Thermly to pilot a new online platform to simplify the process of installing more sustainable forms of heating in homes such as heat pumps.
We are inviting interested residents to take part in their User Accessibility Testing.
In return for taking part in an hour long session, Thermly will send you a £50 voucher to spend on line.
Weekday sessions are happening at the beginning of March. If you are interested, please email research@thermly.co.uk soon and include your name postcode and a contact number.
Lendology CIC and Somerset Council's collaboration since 2005, is driving climate-friendly community changes in Somerset. Residents benefit from accessible home improvement loans, exemplified by success stories available on Lendology's website. Lendology's partnership is at the forefront of revolutionising climate-conscious home improvements. Whether it's to replace aging boilers, inefficient windows, or fund renewable energy measures, they offer practical sustainable solutions.
For more information on diverse loan schemes, residents can contact Lendology at 01823 461099 or visit the Lendology website.
Could your home benefit from energy saving improvements?
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 Visit our Grants and funding page to see what see what opportunities are available for your community environmental project.
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Joe Lycett investigates the mind-boggling quantities of untreated sewage discharged into our waterways every day, and takes the fight to the water companies in the most Joe Lycett way possible.
Watch on Channel Four catch up
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 Feed yourself and your wild neighbours!
You don’t need to have lots of space to grow your own food. From herbs to salads, fruits and vegetables. Home grown food can help the planet and our finances. As nature gives these gifts to us, we can help give back to nature by creating habitats for wildlife too!
It's estimated there are 24 million gardens in the UK, which make up nearly 30% of the total urban area and creates a mosaic of oases for nature in towns and cities. Add on the millions of balcony and window ledge plant pots, what we choose to grow and how we care for these spaces, however small, can make a big difference for us and wildlife.
Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature are combining the experience of The Wildlife Trusts, Incredible Edible, Garden Organic and the Women's Institutes, to create a lasting legacy.
Check out the Mycoronationgarden website to learn ways to create a space for food and nature.
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 Please do share this newsletter on your social media platforms and websites or forward it to a friend. All you need to do is click on the share icon at the foot of the page to share the love.
Tell us 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 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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