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SEEN
Somerset Environmental
and Ecological News
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What a difference a few weeks makes. It really feels like spring has sprung and nature is wide awake! Next month, we are excited to be rolling out our grassland management plans for green spaces and verges that will, where appropriate, have reduced cuts to allow grassed areas to become mini-ecosystems where nature can flourish. We are not just stopping cutting and hoping for the best, these areas will be carefully managed and safety and visibility of verges and enjoyment of play areas will remain a priority and be cut more regularly. We would love you to join in. Our monthly eco tip tells you how you too can leave space for wildlife in your garden or even a window box.
Other highlights in this month's edition are:
- Somerset Energy Investment Plan Unveiled.
- Wild dreams – rewilding in Taunton.
- Somerset’s Local Nature Recovery last chance to to have your say.
- Bee-friendly planters installed for Frome's Safer School Streets trial.
Best wishes
The Climate Team
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 This summer Somerset Council will be ‘leaving it longer’ when it comes to grass cutting in a bid to help boost the county’s biodiversity.
From May, where safe to do so, our mowing routines across council managed highway verges, open spaces, country parks and council property grounds will be reduced, to encourage wildlife, and create vibrant grasslands that buzz with life, where wildflowers bloom, and pollinators thrive.
Providing larger, higher quality and better-connected grasslands across the county is pivotal to ensuring habitats are of high quality and support a diverse abundance of species. Defra has appointed Somerset Council as the lead for the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Somerset, and grassland networks that deliver well-connected pollinator-friendly spaces will form part of this. This also includes green spaces and parks that transition to the capable hands of our parish, town, and city councils, and as they take the reins, we will also encourage them to embrace the “leave it longer” spirit and leave space for nature to thrive.
Next week is gardening week, the perfect time to pledge to leave your grass longer. Enjoy your garden with the diversity and surprise of wild flowers and butterflies.
We will update you with more details next month.
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Cheddar Gorge will trial an experimental traffic Regulation Order and proposes to limit vehicle access to the Gorge on one day a month to open up the spectacular area of outstanding natural beauty to a wider variety of visitors. It is hoped that cyclists and horse riders would see the benefit of the scheme, as well as pedestrians, particularly those with limited mobility.
The National Landscape Team used funding from Defra to explore the idea of closing the road that runs through Cheddar Gorge to vehicles and ran a six-week public consultation earlier this year attracted more than 1,700 responses, far more than expected. Over 80% of the respondents agreed that the Gorge could be more accessible for pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-vehicular visitors.
Students from Oakfield Academy and Critchill School in Frome have worked with the Bee Friendly Trust to prepare a number of planters with pollinator-friendly plants. The planters will be installed ahead of the 18-month Safer School Streets trial, which began on Monday 22nd April. The preparation of the planters is part of a programme of engagement activities with pupils attending Safer School Streets schools, which have included ‘walking buses’ with Mojo Moves, ‘Dr Bike’ cycle repair clinics and BMX stunt shows.
Last month we told you the exciting news that the peregrines were back at St Mary Magdalene church in Taunton. They are doing very well, and we can report they have laid four eggs and both adult birds are sharing the incubation duties.
The first egg is predicted to hatch soon, and leg ringing the youngsters should happen in mid-May. Bird ringing involves fitting a small metal ring to a bird’s leg – each tag is stamped or engraved with a unique code which is then registered on a database and can be used to support research into global bird population trends and habits. The birds in Taunton are also fitted with a much larger, coloured and lettered ring to enable individual identification without having to recapture the birds.
The juvenile peregrines are likely to start flying from the Tower in early June.
If you are in Taunton, you can watch a live feed of the birds by visiting the church and going to the viewing screen at the top of the north aisle.
You can also follow their progress on X (Twitter) and at the Taunton Minster website.
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Local nature champion Vikki from Staplegrove in Taunton had a vision to help nature and bring it closer to her neighbours, and she is set to make this a reality in parts of the green spaces in the area. Her ideas include creating a community garden, reducing grass cutting and supporting wildflowers, bug hotels and nest boxes, as well as replacing the public general waste bins with recycling bins.
We asked Vicki to tell us her story...
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Last month, we shared news about the installation of new birdboxes at Ninesprings, Yeovil Country Park, generously donated by Yeovil Men’s Shed. This month brings even more excitement. Great tits have taken up residence in one of the boxes, laying eight eggs, while blue tits are busy adding the final touches to their nest in another box. Both birdhouses are equipped with cameras, allowing you to see all the action live from the comfort of Ninesprings café. So, grab some cake, put your feet up an enjoy our very own spring watch at the Yeovil Country Park.
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We are preparing to launch an environmental ‘call for sites’ in May 2024. The ‘call for sites’ will seek submissions of land promoted for the delivery of phosphate mitigation schemes (with nutrient mitigation funding available to assist delivery, subject to eligibility criteria) and/or biodiversity net gain (BNG).
The idea is to understand the level of interest from landowners and to then assess and prioritise sites based on a transparent process and criteria. Prioritised sites will then go on to enter negotiations to legally secure the promoted land for these purposes with the Council. Once legally secured (and, in the case of BNG proposals, registered on the national biodiversity gain sites register), sites can then sell phosphate credits and biodiversity units generated to developers for their use in meeting requirements on new development sites. By legally securing the right phosphate mitigation and BNG sites in the right places, we can support the delivery of new development in Somerset, deliver for nature recovery, and maximise wider benefits to Somerset.
For the latest iupdates on the ‘call for sites’ visit the Somerset Council web page
Further information about the ‘call for sites’ and how to respond to it will be published in May.
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 Pictured: Winners and finalists at this year's Somerset Business Awards. Credit Tessa Chapman Photography
We are thrilled to announce that Lendology CIC and Somerset Council have been honoured with the Environmental and Sustainability Award at the Somerset Business Awards 2024. Partners since 2005, we support homeowners with low cost loans for essential home repairs and investment in carbon-reducing technologies like solar panels and battery storage. The goal is to create safer, warmer, and more sustainable homes, contributing to a brighter future for our Somerset residents.
Our rangers at Yeovil Country Park recently starred in a short film that shows the park in all its splendour. Our thanks to Steve Calis films who approached the team to ask if he could make the film and get permission to use a drone. The film was sponsored by a local window company. If you know Yeovil Country Park already, you'll know it is a jewel in the heart of the town. If you don’t then we recommend you visit and experience its natural beauty and wildlife. It is particularly wonderful in springtime.
The park has five main areas all with different characteristics and land features. The landscape varies from Ninesprings which is the most heavily used and accessible section with its network of footpaths and waterways, café and play park to the riverside walk which gives the feeling of being away from the hustle and bustle of town as you stroll through woodland following the path of the River Yeo.
See for yourself and watch the film and hear from our brilliant team of countryside rangers who talk about what they do and how you can get involved!
Find out more about Yeovil Country Park.
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Our rangers and dedicated volunteers have been busy across our country parks as spring brings work to do to conserve and enhance these wonderful wildlife havens.
The team at Ham Hill are counting slow worms, in preparation for work to begin on a new footpath. Skylarks will be nesting soon, and the rangers are asking walkers to be careful when in the flat fields where skylarks will be nesting on the ground. They have lots more to tell you in their bulletin. See below for more news.
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The Somerset Energy Investment Plan aims to help Somerset become a carbon-neutral county. Developed in collaboration by renewable energy experts Regen and energy stakeholders, the plan shows strategic opportunities for renewable energy generation, energy storage, electrification of transport and energy efficiency. By fostering collaboration, the plan encourages investment and shapes Somerset’s sustainable future.
Additionally, Friends of the Earth revealed that England has significant untapped potential for renewable energy. Urgent action is needed to increase onshore wind and solar generation. Let’s seize these opportunities for a greener future!
View the Somerset energy Investment Plan
Sign the Friends of the Earth petition to tell party leaders we need more action to support renewable energy opportunities.
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A new solar farm in Somerset is now up and running, ready to power homes with clean energy. Somerset Council Chair Councillor Mike Best officially opened this impressive project at Horsey Levels near Bridgwater.
The 90-acre solar farm developed and built by Enviromena and owned by Black Finch Energy will produce enough energy to power over 10,000 homes and offset 5,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. The Horsey Levels solar farm is also the first in the country to be energised following changes introduced by the National Grid last year to speed up connections.
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We’re pleased to appoint Classic Builders (South West Ltd) as our main contractor to continue the construction of an important local sustainable housing development at Woolaway, north Taunton. The project involves building 53 sustainable homes, including 1 and 2-bedroom apartments, 2-bed bungalows, and 2, 3, and 4-bed houses, with three of them being fully wheelchair accessible. These low-carbon houses are designed to meet Lifetime Home Standards, ensuring adaptability for changing needs. Importantly, the plans incorporate features such as bat boxes, bird boxes, bee bricks, and hedgehog highways. This project aims to enhance housing quality while promoting sustainability and inclusivity.
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Pictured left to right Ryan Winter, Kat Perham – Section Leader, Mo Kingshott, Marzena Kirton Darling, Neil Stuart, John Ranger – Specialist Operations Manager at Yeovil Crematorium, with Victoria Poole, Funding Manager – Mind in Somerset
Our team at Yeovil Crematorium were delighted to present The Yeovil branch of Mind in Somerset, a cheque for £14,000 towards the charity’s invaluable work in supporting anyone affected by mental illness.
The money was raised through the Recycling of Metals Scheme, a not-for-profit scheme run by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM), funds are donated by ICCM members, in this case Yeovil Crematorium, to national and local charities of the member’s choice.
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 Work on Somerset’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is progressing well, with a wide range of people and organisations getting involved.
There have been well over 500 responses to the public survey – thank you to everyone who has already contributed. If you haven't taken part yet, there is still time. The survey closes on 30 April.
The strategy will provide a single vision for nature recovery in Somerset and set out local priorities and opportunities for nature, and your views will help shape it.
Once collated all this information will be used to prepare the draft strategy which will be published for consultation in the autumn.
Check out our blog and find out more about the ongoing work to develop Somerset’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy and why nature recovery is so important.
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This is an interactive day developing connections across Somerset communities to encourage climate action and community wellbeing.
Join in panel discussions, workshops and connect with your local community over a cuppa and cake!
Leaders and experts in business, the public sector and communities will discuss a range of topics including the circular economy and our vision for 2030. There will be plenty of opportunity for open discussion and participation both in the panel discussions and through fun, interactive workshops.
Bring a packed lunch and join in the community indoor picnic. Light refreshments will be provided. The event is free, but please register to book your place.
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Check out all the other brilliant eco events happening across Somerset. There's something for everyone. 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 can tell our readers.
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Are you or do you know a young person in Somerset who dreams of a greener, wilder future? Somerset Wildlife wants to meet you!
They are supporting young people to build initial connections with nature and will provide guidance and training though their Youth Forum, hold youth specific volunteering days and offer work experience opportunities to champion the many young people across Somerset already taking a leading role in nature recovery.
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Do you know about the Climate and Nature Bill? Written by UK scientists, economists, and policy experts, it’s a landmark piece of legislation offering immediate action on the climate & nature emergency, backed by high-profile campaigners including Chris Packham, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Deborah Meaden.
In the last year, we’ve seen failing crops; some of the worst nature depletion in the world; and devastating storms and floods, with Storm Henk causing widespread damage around Somerset.
Whoever wins the next election will have to tackle the climate & nature crisis before 2030.
Local campaign Sarah Warren, says: “This is why we need everyone in Somerset to sign the open letter to their prospective parliamentary candidates so our future MP will back the Climate & Nature Bill when they get into Parliament. We all want to survive and know that our lives will be happier, healthier, and less expensive if we address the twin crises. Your next MP needs a mandate from their constituents to back the Climate & Nature Bill and create such a world for everyone.”
To help nature and make the UK government take the action scientists are calling for, sign the zerohour open letter to parliamentary candidates. Pop in your postcode and you’ll be directed to your local page. All you have to do is say: "Yes, I'm backing the Climate & Nature Bill!" It takes seconds and the more of us that sign, the louder our voice is for nature.
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A £20m government fund is available for farmers and land managers to create new woodlands to help tackle the effects of climate change, as well as provide new income in the form of long-term payments for the amount of carbon any new woodland will store.
The eighth online auction is confirmed for 23 - 29 September 2024.
Following the auction, successful bidders will be offered the option to sell woodland carbon in the form of Woodland Carbon Units – a financial value given to each tonne of carbon stored – to the Government up to 2055.
For the first time, the auction will be opened up to farmers, foresters and land mangers whose projects are not currently in receipt of Government funding to allow an even greater number of woodlands to benefit from the auction.
Administered by the Forestry Commission, the Woodland Carbon Guarantee aims to help accelerate woodland planting rates and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and has already resulted in nearly 3,000 hectares of new woodland across the country.
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 Check out what funding opportunities are available for your community environmental project.
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 Photo credit: Royal Horticultural Society
This month's eco tip, invites you to join in our no mow journey and leave space for nature in your own garden. Similar to traditional gardening, rewilding demands some effort, but it's worth it and the results can be amazing all year round. However, rewilding is not just leaving land to return to its natural state and abandoned gardens don’t always provide an ideal environment for wildlife. They require the correct combination of native plants, a balanced mix of habitats, and favourable conditions to give an ecosystem a fighting chance.
Whether you go full out and rewild a whole garden or dedicate a small corner or window box for nature to thrive, we can all do our bit to help nature where we live.
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Remember, 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.
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We would love to hear from you.
Get in touch at climateemergency@somerset.gov.uk.
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