PEOPLE creating inviting spaces for wildlife in their allotments and veg patches are being offered a new award.
The Somerset Wildlife Trust has launched the Wildlife-Friendly Allotment Awards as part of National Allotment Week 2024, which runs from August 12 to 18.
It aims to recognise supporters of the benefits of adding wildlife-friendly plants and making environmentally-friendly choices in their allotments.
The group said ways people can welcome wildlife into their allotments include:
• Only using peat-free compost
• Being conservative with water
• Looking after your soil
• Avoiding the use of chemicals
• Planting pollinator-friendly flowers
The Trust’s Wildlife-Friendly Allotment Awards are available to all those who are able to demonstrate that they are making an active effort to protect the environment and welcome wildlife in different ways.
If successful, you will be sent a plaque that recognises your commitment to wildlife, to display in your growing space.
Gardeners can earn an award from the SWT. Picture: Autumn Barlow RSWT
Bryony Slaymaker, wilder communities manager at the Trust, said: “We’re so excited to officially launch our Wildlife-Friendly Allotment Awards scheme.
“There are so many ways you can manage your allotment or veg plot in a way that minimises harmful environmental impacts and creates an inviting space for wildlife, and by making a few small changes, you can create a mini-ecosystem that promotes abundant produce growing and supports wildlife.
“You can then apply for one of our Wildlife Friendly Allotment Awards, to proudly display on your plot to encourage others to make positive changes for wildlife in their own growing spaces.
“If your whole Allotment Committee gets involved, we’ll even send you a community award.”
She added: “We know that in order for nature to recover, we need a lot more people on nature’s side, and the science shows that if just one person in every four takes visible action for nature, this can be enough to change the minds and behaviour of the majority — which means the small changes you make in spaces like allotments really can add up.”
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