As you may have seen in the recent State of Nature Report, our environment is in a dire state. Since 1970, the abundance of species studied has declined on average by nineteen percent, with one in six species at risk of being lost in the UK due to habitat loss, unsustainable farming practices, development, and persecution.
The scale of change required is great: we need thousands of people to act. Nextdoor Nature Somer Valley aims to raise understanding about the urgent need for change and to recognise individuals and communities’ own roles in making that change happen. Shortly we will be identifying four community groups to work closely with to support them developing their nature-based ideas into reality.
Rhea is the Somer Valley Community Organiser, so here is a bit about what she’s been up to.
“One rainy afternoon I joined BART (Bristol Avon Rivers Trust) for their River Detectives Workshop in Midsomer Norton to learn more about their new ‘citizen scientist’ project in Somer Valley.
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“Molly, BART’s Somer Valley project lead, says ‘Join our BART Detectives project and help us to monitor the health of our surrounding waterways for the benefit of both people and wildlife. You will be provided with a free monthly water testing kit and given access to upload your results onto our interactive map where you can see all the data collected by other BART Detectives!’. They still need volunteers to sign up along the Cam, Wellow and Midford Brooks, so contact BART via their website to get involved.
“The wonderful Pride in Paulton (PiP) group – who look after most of the community flower beds in the village - gave me a passionate and inspiring tour of their beds, showing me photos from the beginning of their planting in the area, and sharing all about the community projects they have ran over the years - from extravagant corgi-cut-out paintings, to cascading knitted poppy installations, this group really do know how to make a space look beautiful and have fun whilst doing it!
“At the Somer Valley Forum I met local Councillors at The Hive, in Peasedown and even enjoyed a free loaf of bread and some bananas from The Hive’s Community Fridge on my way out - thank you! Thanks to the wonderful SWALLOW’s café for hosting us - those cakes were delicious. The Forum introduced me to another new project in the area, The Active Way, who offer a range of free activities to help increase health and wellbeing through active travel. Keep an eye out for their range of inclusive bikes available to borrow, thanks to their partnership with All Cycle Bath and West, and upcoming community events as the project develops.
“I am happy to say that The Somersetshire Coal Canal Society continue to do great work to restore the old canal in the Paulton Basin and over in Combe Hay, where there are also many beautiful public footpaths to explore. It’s worth checking out the walking advice on their website. They are always in need of more volunteers; both those willing to get their hands mucky on the ground and those who could help with the behind the scenes with admin and finances. Joining their work party was a wonderful experience, which taught me so much about the history of the local landscape. If you are interested in getting involved, find them on Facebook or via their website.
To hear more about or get involved with the new Nextdoor Nature Somer Valley project, reach out: [email protected]