Community Environmental Toolkit helps communities to create biodiverse habitats in their area

Wiltshire Council, in partnership with Natural England, has created the Wiltshire Community Environmental Toolkit, which gives community groups, and town and parish councils, helpful tips and advice to create and improve habitats and the natural environment in their area.

The toolkit is packed with information, ideas and resources to enable communities to make a difference in their local areas to create habitats that are rich in biodiversity. Projects could also create new opportunities for people to get involved in their local community, get active and connect with nature, as well as help to fight climate change.

The toolkit features a comprehensive five-step guide that could help communities to find potential grant funding and deliver projects that have huge benefits for your local environment.

Cllr Nick Botterill, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, said: "The Wiltshire Community Environmental Toolkit is a really useful document that enables local communities to plan, design and implement environmental projects that will improve biodiversity and help to fight against climate change.

"I'd urge all town and parish councils and community groups to read the toolkit to find out how they can make a difference. It's important that any projects are fully costed and ready to go with landowner consent and community support - as that is the best way to secure grant funding as opportunities arise - and the toolkit can guide groups through that process. Officers in our Landscape and Design team can also help with this and offer guidance on applying for grants.

"We all need to play our part when it comes to tackling climate change here in Wiltshire, and local environmental projects, no matter what size, are a good way to do that."

Charles Routh, Natural England team leader for Wiltshire, said: "More and more people want to do good things for their local environment, and this toolkit should really help to catalyse action and support this groundswell in community interest. This is great initiative by Wiltshire Council." 

To find out more people should download the Wiltshire Community Environmental Toolkit, or contact the Landscape and Design team via paul.robertson@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window). Hard copies of the toolkit will also be available to view at Wiltshire libraries from 25 October.