Over the last couple of weeks we have had some really positive conversations with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust about how community action in Cheltenham can connect into wider nature recovery work across the county.
Earlier this month we were invited to the launch of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s new Mission Wild campaign at Robinswood Hill, held on Sir David Attenborough’s birthday.
Mission Wild is a county-wide campaign encouraging people and communities across Gloucestershire to take practical action for nature, while supporting larger, joined-up efforts to restore habitats and reconnect landscapes across the county. The campaign reflects Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s wider vision for bigger, better and more connected spaces for wildlife, alongside stronger connections between people and nature.
As part of the visit, we were given a tour around part of Robinswood Hill and had the opportunity to hear more about some of the projects taking place there.
One of the highlights was meeting a young volunteer who had previously been a Youth Ranger and is now part of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s Youth Advisory Board. At just 18 years old, they were incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about nature recovery and community involvement, and it was fantastic to hear about the different ways young people are helping shape environmental work locally.
They also showed us the orchard the Youth Rangers have been helping to look after at Robinswood Hill, which led to some interesting conversations about community orchards, food growing and how spaces like these can support both people and wildlife.eople and wildlife.
We also had the chance to try pond dipping, where – much to our excitement – Helen found a Palmate Newt (which was quickly returned to the pond after admiring).
A week later, we met with Megan Adamou, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s Nature and Communities Advisor, to explore how local projects, organisations and community groups in Cheltenham could help support the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Gloucestershire.
The conversation covered a wide range of ideas and possibilities, from connecting existing groups and green spaces to supporting practical neighbourhood action around wildlife gardening, pollinators, rain gardens, community growing and public engagement. We also discussed an idea of Megan’s – which is brilliant – of creating neighbourhood orchards, with residents each planting one fruit or nut tree in their outside space. This could create communities of fruit or nut growers, sharing produce and creating wildlife corridors in their neighbourhood. Love it!
One of the things that continues to stand out to us through Cheltenham Action for Nature is just how much positive work is already happening across Cheltenham. Community gardens, swift projects, river groups, composting workshops, wildlife-friendly growing and local volunteers are all contributing to a much bigger picture.
The challenge – and opportunity – is how we better connect these efforts together so they can support wider nature recovery across the town and county.
That feels very much in the spirit of Mission Wild: helping people see that small local actions, when connected together, can become part of something much larger.
We are looking forward to continuing these conversations over the coming months and exploring how local people, projects and communities can play a meaningful role in creating a more nature-rich future for Cheltenham and Gloucestershire.
