Over the past few months we have been doing a lot of listening. We began with our nature survey, and have continued through conversations with local groups, organisations and individuals across Cheltenham. Alongside this, we’ve been in discussion with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and learning more about the new Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Gloucestershire – what it is, what it is trying to achieve, and what it might mean in Cheltenham.
Through all of this, a clearer picture has started to emerge – not just of what’s already happening, but of what’s needed, what’s missing, and where we might best fit in.
What’s been striking is that many people are already taking action for nature in different ways – in gardens, schools, parks, community spaces, local projects and more.
At the same time, the Local Nature Recovery Strategy highlights the importance of thinking bigger and more joined-up: creating habitats that are better connected, improving water systems, supporting wildlife at a landscape scale, and enabling more people to take part.
Our role isn’t to duplicate what’s already happening, but to help connect it, support it, and build on it – linking local action with that wider picture so that, together, it can have more impact.
From this listening process, and with that wider context in mind, a number of clear themes have emerged. These reflect both what we’ve heard locally, and where we feel we can add value.
These themes aren’t separate – they overlap and reinforce each other.
- A wildlife-friendly garden can support pollinators while also contributing to a connected wildlife corridor.
- A rain garden can help manage water while creating habitat for wildlife.
- Growing food can improve soil health, support biodiversity and bring people together.
Together, they form a simple, flexible framework – helping us support what’s already happening, while also identifying opportunities to do more, in ways that connect with the wider ambitions for nature recovery across Gloucestershire.
As new ideas emerge and connections grow, these themes will help guide where we focus – always with the aim of helping nature thrive across Cheltenham.
If you’re already working in any of these areas, or have an idea you’d like to explore, we’d love to hear from you.
Wild About Cheltenham
Cheltenham has the potential to be full of wildlife – from swifts and bats in our roofs to pollinators in our parks, gardens and streets.
Wild About Cheltenham celebrates these species and supports groups, and practical ways people can help nature thrive where they live, work and spend time, through talks, groups and local projects.
Current projects include the Swift and House Martin Support Group, supporting the return of more of these iconic birds to our town.
The Green Thread
Nature runs through Cheltenham in parks, streets, verges and gardens.
The Green Thread focuses on linking these places together so wildlife can move freely and thrive. From street trees and verges to rain gardens and community planting, this theme responds directly to calls for better-connected, more nature-friendly places.
Projects such as Cheltenham Gardens for Nature contribute to this, helping to map and strengthen the network of wildlife-friendly spaces across the town.
Roots and Shoots
Growing food and community go hand in hand.
Roots & Shoots supports this hands-on energy – bringing people together to share skills, improve soil health, grow for biodiversity and make Cheltenham’s allotments, community gardens and private spaces more productive and resilient.
This includes initiatives like Grow Your Own Cheltenham, which is helping build local knowledge, skills and confidence around growing food in ways that support both people and nature.
Waters in Balance
Rivers, streams, lakes and ponds are an essential – but often overlooked – part of Cheltenham’s landscape.
Waters in Balance brings attention to these hidden systems, supporting projects that improve water quality, reduce flood risk and reconnect people with the nature flowing through our town.
Water plays a part in so much of the nature work that goes on in our town, from wildlife ponds in gardens, to monitoring the quality of the water in the River Chelt – we are looking into ways we can support, including by talking to the Guardians of the River Chelt.
Our Living Land
Cheltenham is surrounded by farmland, commons and open landscapes that people value deeply, even if they feel distant from day-to-day town life.
Our Living Land explores nature-friendly ways of managing land – protecting and strengthening the landscapes that support both wildlife and people.
There is a lot happening, led by organisations such as Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Cotswolds National Landscape, the Western Forest, FolK, CKPC and the Ravensgate Cotswold Escarpment Group and so many more. We are currently in conversation with groups and organisations who are active in this area across farming and community land spaces.
