18 Feb North-West Essex takes the lead in wildlife-friendly scheme with Essex Wildlife Trust
Essex Wildlife Trust is calling on all parish and town councils across Essex to sign up for their new scheme, Wilder Towns, Wilder Villages.
The scheme launched in July 2022 and supports parish and town councils with training and resources, giving them access to the charity’s ecological services and connects councils together – all to restore and protect wildlife in their communities.
Since launching, 21 councils have signed up to the scheme with 15 already developing projects or taking action, but the Trust is urging further councils to join them.
Already, the Trust has supported councils to take action for nature. Black Notley Parish Council has implemented plans to improve habitat quality and availability across three different sites. A grassland cut-and-collect management technique to enhance floral diversity is underway on Millennium Green and a newly-created sand bank for solitary bees has been constructed on the boundary of Black Notley Playing Field.
Similarly, the Trust is also supporting Broomfield Parish Council pull together an action plan for grassland management trial sites across Church Green and Parsonage Green, as well as advising on the enhancement of Centenary Wood, a much-loved local woodland site.
To read more about the scheme, visit: www.essexwt.org.uk/get-involved/team-wilder/wilder-towns-wilder-villages
Danielle Carbott, Wilder Communities Manager, said:
“We have had a positive response from many local councils and have made great progress in the North-West of Essex. Already, town and parish councils have been discussing the restoration of ponds, managing road verges for wildflowers and recovering lost green space. It is great to see communities coming together for wildlife.”
Andrew Impey, Chief Executive of Essex Wildlife Trust, said:
“It is the Trust’s ambition to restore and protect wildlife across the whole county, not just on our nature reserves. We know the value of working together, and with the support of local town and parish councils, we can give communities the tools they need to take action for nature.”
