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Somerset Environmental
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Welcome to the August edition.
Before we go any further, we want to say a MASSIVE heartfelt thank you to Councillor Dixie Darch for her hard work and dedication as Lead Member for Environment and Climate Change at Somerset Council. Dixie has been such a great ambassador for a greener, more sustainable Somerset. She is stepping down as Lead Member but will remain a Councillor. We send her our very best wishes.
Stepping into Dixie’s green shoes is Councillor Graham Oakes, who will be our new Lead Member for Environment and Climate Change from 1 September. Welcome, Graham! We look forward to your leadership and vision in continuing the important work of making Somerset a beacon of environmental sustainability.
Highlights this month are:
- Latest State of UK climate report
- Beavers are back in Somerset – have your say!
- Unlocking the power of biochar
- Free recycling centre public tours
Wishing you all a sensational September. Enjoy this beautiful season!
Best eco wishes
The Climate Team
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 Climate change is causing more extreme temperatures and record-breaking weather in the UK. A new study confirms that human activities are the primary drivers of these temperature extremes. As a result, we are experiencing more frequent hot weather, which impacts infrastructure, health, and wellbeing. The study also highlights an increase in heavy rainfall.
This analysis is part of the annual “State of the UK Climate” report, published in the Royal Meteorological Society’s journal. The report reviews the UK’s climate and significant weather events from 2023, using data from weather stations dating back to the 19th century.
Climate change is a reality we face today, and every choice we make can have a significant impact. While we continue to do all we can to slow it down, we need to be prepared, and this starts at home. You can find valuable tips and information at Zero Carbon Britain. It’s full of ideas to help us make informed decisions that benefit both us and the environment, empowering us to reduce our carbon footprint, adapt to extreme weather, save money amidst rising living costs, and make lifestyle changes that protect what we cherish.
Let's keep going. This report shows it's more important than ever to get involved in things that reduce our carbon foot print and protect our planet. Read on and see what's been happening across Somerset that's doing just that!
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After an absence of 400 years, beavers are back in Somerset! They can provide many benefits, but as with any returning species, they may also present some challenges.
Somerset Wildlife Trust has been commissioned by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group South West (FWAG SouthWest), with funding from the Somerset Rivers Authority to produce a Beaver Management Strategy for the county. Thier Human-Wildlife Co-existence Officer has been 'beavering' away on a draft of this new strategy, and now wants to hear from YOU.
Whether you know a lot about beavers or nothing at all, this is a chance to have your say and help shape the strategy for our county. Click on the image above to watch a video all about it. Take part in the survey and find out where the team are attending local events.
 Earlier this month, our climate and highways teams visited the Blackdown Hills Eco Hub near Honiton to learn about biochar, a type of charcoal made from organic waste. Biochar improves soil health, retains water and nutrients, reduces soil acidity, and can be used in road surfacing and water filtration.
This year’s national contest organised by the Woodland Trust celebrates magnificent oaks across the UK, each with a rich history and vital role in supporting wildlife, cleaning air, and boosting wellbeing.
There are 12 oaks shortlisted for Tree of the Year 2024, including the majestic King John's Oak at Sparkford which is estimated to be at around 1000 years old! Vote for your favourite to help crown a champion to represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year competition.
Voting is open until 11.59pm on 21 October, with the winner announced on 29 October.
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In September, your ‘leave it longer’ wilded area can be a beautiful and bustling haven for wildlife. Late blooming flowers add splashes of colour and provide nectar for pollinators before winter. Tall grasses and seedheads from earlier blooms stand tall, offering food for birds and shelter for insects.
Jobs to do in wild areas this September:
- Aim to cut after most wildflowers have set seed, usually mid-September, or when you see a noticeable drop in insect and floral diversity. This ensures that plants can reseed for the next year.
- Use a scythe or a strimmer with a scythe attachment. Cut the grass to about 5 -10 cm above the ground. Don’t be too keen to cut it all, instead cut in stages over the weeks leading up to October and leave areas of cover for late insects who might still be around. You could also leave some grasses long until next spring as shelter for small mammals and invertebrates..
- Leave the cut grass for a few days to allow seeds to drop. Then, remove the clippings to prevent nutrient build-up, which can favour grasses over wildflowers.
- Use some of the cut grass to create habitat piles for insects and small mammals.
Keep going! It might look untidy in places but it will be worth it. Persevere and this approach will help maintain a healthy, diverse wilded area in your garden.
Check out the video below for more brilliant tips and information.
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 Click on the image to watch
National Highways is taking an innovative approach of buying and growing their own stocks of native trees as part of a commitment to plant an additional 3 million trees by 2030.
The agency would like organisations and landowners to help plant the trees and will be donating up to 600,000 whips on an annual basis!
To apply, please complete the tree planting questionnaire. Applications will be accepted continuously through to the last planting season in 2028 to 2029.
Find out more: Increasing tree planting across National Highways network - National Highways.
If you successfully obtain free trees from National Highways, don’t forget to map them on the Somerset Tree Planting Register
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National Highways is taking an innovative approach of buying and growing their own stocks of native trees as part of a commitment to plant an additional 3 million trees by 2030.
The agency would like organisations and landowners to help plant the trees and will be donating up to 600,000 whips on an annual basis!
To apply, please complete the tree planting questionnaire. Applications will be accepted continuously through to the last planting season in 2028 to 2029.
Find out more: Increasing tree planting across National Highways network - National Highways
If you successfully obtain free trees from National Highways, don't forget to map them on the Somerset Tree Planting Register.
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Have you ever wondered what happens to your recycling once the crews sort it into the colourful lorries in Somerset? Or wondered why we ask you to sort some of your recycling at home? Now is your chance to find out!
As part of Heritage Open Days, Somerset Council and SUEZ recycling and recovery UK are offering behind-the-scenes tours of the Evercreech Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) on Saturday 14 September. Tours run hourly from 10am to 2pm, with 20 spaces per tour. Entry is free, but advance booking is required.
The tours will be hosted by SUEZ’s dedicated site operatives who keep the facility operating like a well-oiled machine. They will take visitors through each process, showcasing important information about the facility whilst answering any questions the public might have.
The facility processes around 34,000 tonnes of recycling annually, equivalent to 2,000 double-decker buses.
Book your FREE place here: Evercreech household recycling sorting facility (heritageopendays.org.uk)
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The public is being encouraged to look out for ‘yellow-legged’ hornet - also known as the Asian hornet, a non-native invasive species that are currently being monitored by the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s National Bee Unit, which delivers bee health programmes in England and Wales on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
Next week is Asian Hornet Week from 2 - 8 September, and we're being asked to report any sightings through the Asian Hornet Watch app, so that nests can be traced and destroyed to limit the insects’ spread.
The British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA) has created a simple Asian Hornet spotting sheet to help tell the difference between some of our most common species to make sure they are not confused with native lookalikes.
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 Residents of St Athelm Lodge in Wells can now recycle small electrical items through a two-month pilot project funded by Material Focus. A pink wheelie bin has been provided for convenient disposal, with fortnightly collections by our waste collections contractor SUEZ. Supported by the Fixy project, the initiative also collects smart tech donations for refurbishing and reuse. The UK discards 103,000 tonnes of electricals annually, which contain valuable materials like copper, lithium and gold and if we bin them, they are lost forever. Most households in Somerset can recycle small electricals via their weekly kerbside recycling collection, however this option is not available to residents that have communal collections (for example people who live in flats).
Electrical items that are too large to fit in a carrier bag should be taken to one of Somerset’s recycling sites. Alternatively, use the recycling locator function online via the Recycle your Electricals website.
Earlier this month demolition work at our Woolaway project in Taunton was halted after the discovery of a variety of wildlife living inside one of the condemned houses. Our ecologists were called to the site and found two house sparrows’ nests, two soprano pipistrelle bats, squirrels with young, and a wood pigeon on eggs. They are now working to safely relocate the animals. Demolition of the house will resume when the young birds have fledged.
The demolition work is part of our North Woolaway Regeneration Programme which is replacing 162 outdated and defective houses with almost 230 low-carbon council houses – with a further 27 homes being refurbished.
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We’ve partnered with SUEZ, and On Your Bike to donate bikes collected via the council’s bulky collection service to On Your Bike. This charity, based in Bridgwater and Taunton, refurbishes bikes or uses them for parts, supporting community members facing social exclusion, disabilities, or mental health issues. Refurbished bikes are sold at affordable prices, with proceeds funding local projects. In the first month, over 25 bikes were donated.
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 If you’ve planted trees since last October don’t forget to ‘root for Somerset’ and add them to the Somerset Tree Planting Register.
As part of the 10-year Somerset Tree Strategy the goal is to increase the county’s tree coverage from the current 8% to at least the national average of 13% by 2033.
The Somerset Tree Planting Register will help us track these important tree-planting goals and celebrate the efforts of those doing their bit to get trees in the ground.
Can we count on you?
Make your new trees count and put them on the map, visit The Somerset Tree Planting Register. We are interested in trees planted since October 2023. It takes less than five minutes.
If you are still in the planning stages and need advice, our woodland creation officers Craig and James are here to offer their wisdom. Drop them a line at woodlandcreation@somerset.gov.uk.
Thanks to everyone who has already registered their trees. We have had a tree- mendous response so far.
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The Methodist Church Hall, Minehead Avenue TA 24 5AY
West Somerset Green Forum are holding afree fun and engaging day for everyone. Information and advice on home energy, wildlife, transport, water saving, as well as talks, fun and games, music and refreshments. Come and feel good about our planet!
We’re going! Are you? Come along and meet our woodland creation team for advice on tree planting ahead of the upcoming tree planting season, and our natural environment expert Barbra Lakin will talk about Somerset’s cherished ancient trees, all wrapped up with some tree-mendous fun facts and quizzes.
See you there!
If you want to run a stall get in touch at flyingfish58@icloud.com
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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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 Calling all Somerset primary schools! We are offering FREE sponsorship for primary schools to sign up and take part in the Better Planet Schools Programme.
Better Planet Schools is a national environmental education programme from Better Planet Education, designed for children aged 7 to 11. Participating schools get access to a full year of environmental activities, lesson plans and other resources that have been designed to engage children and inspire teachers to take action on key environmental issues, foster eco-friendly habits and reduce their carbon footprint. For example, schools using Better Planet Schools’ ‘Saving Energy’ module typically see a 10-15% reduction in their energy bills through child-led behaviour change.
Many schools have already signed up and chosen the modules they want to work on and are making great progress. If your school hasn’t signed up yet, there is still time and limited Somerset Council sponsorship credits are still available. Better Planet Schools offers monthly online briefing meetings for teachers, which explains the programme and answer any questions you may have about how to get involved. The next one will be at 4pm on 25 September. You can book your free ticket at their eventbrite page.
For more information, check out their video (click on the image above) or take a look at the Better Planet Schools website. If you would like to join, go to the sign-up page and add your school’s details. Once you have signed up, you will be assigned a sponsorship from Somerset Council.
 Click on the image to watch
Are you a Somerset hair salon owner that wants to make a cutting-edge impact on the environment? We're looking to sponsor a local hair salon to take up a FREE year’s subscription to the NetZeroNow project in partnership with L’oreal. This powerful, industry-backed, easy-to-use carbon reduction platform will help you take the first step towards becoming a greener business. The year’s free sponsorship is being funded from a grant secured by the former Mendip District Council.
Why Participate?
- Reduce your salon’s carbon footprint and learn how to implement sustainable practices to reduce its environmental impact.
- Gain recognition and attract eco-conscious clients through positive media coverage.
- Save money.
How to Get Involved: If you are interested or know someone who might be, contact the Somerset Business Hub and they will get back to you.
Watch the video and hear first hand from hairdressers who are already on their net zero journey. This is a great opportunity to lead the way in sustainable hairdressing and make a difference!
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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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Preparing for the start of a new school year can be stressful, especially with the pressure to have everything brand new and the feeling you must keep up with all the latest trends.
Don’t despair. These tips might ease this pressure, save you money and the cherry on the top is that they are also eco-friendly!
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Double-check what you already have before you buy new school supplies to prevent duplication. Could you share outsized uniform with other families in the class or school? 2nd hand is no longer thought of as 2nd best. Check out thrift stores or online marketplaces for gently used items. You might find some great deals on backpacks, clothes, and more. The Somerset/North Somerset 2nd hand uniform Facebook group is a great place to list or find local preloved school uniform and kit.
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Identify what truly needs to be new and what can be reused or repurposed. Simple repairs of missing buttons or hems can save buying new. Repurposing trousers that have become too short into shorts is a creative way of making clothes last longer.
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Choose sustainable school supplies, such as notebooks made from recycled paper or bamboo refillable pens. You can even get highlighter pencils to reduce the use of plastic. Replace clingfilm or foil with beeswax reusable sandwich wraps, you can even make your own. And encourage children to bring home fruit peelings to compost at home if the school doesn’t compost food waste.
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Find out if your school has a cycling or walking to school group to reduce car travel if you live close enough, or see if you can share lifts with other local families to reduce congestion. Remember to avoid engine idling near the school to reduce polluting the air.
We wish everyone returning to their studies a very happy and sustainable new school year!
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 Please do share this newsletter on your social media platforms and websites or send 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.
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.
You can make suggestions about what you would like to see more of in future and have your say on earlier stories and topics.
We would love to hear from you.
Get in touch at climateemergency@somerset.gov.uk.
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