Local Land Use and biodiversity
We are fortunate in Wotton-under-Edge and the surrounding villages to be have an abundance of fields and countryside on our doorstep, but how the land is used, and ensuring the on-going health of our soil, is paramount to reducing carbon emissions in our area, promoting biodiversity and securing local and sustainably grown food.
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Our actions in caring for the land can also help secure our community against risks like soil erosion and localised flooding.
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a group of volunteers are kneeling on the grass planting cowslips
volunteers spreading mulch onto a tree sapling bed.
a group of volunteers planting trees
a group of volunteers are kneeling on the grass planting cowslips
Trees around Wotton
Everywhere you look in and around Wotton you can see trees. These trees are of course excellent for wildlife but they are also incredibly important for combating climate change because they are all taking in carbon dioxide and storing it in the soil and in their roots and wood which locks it up for as long as the wood stays intact. And of course trees expel oxygen so they are the ’living lungs’ of the planet.Â
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We recognise that tree planting must be done with care …. It is not a silver bullet to reduce climate change; it is part of many things that need to be done and it is really important that the right trees are planted in the right place, taking into considerations things such as landscape context, existing high value grassland habitats and important historic features.Â
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With this in mind we have planted over 4,000 trees in the last three planting seasons (with the help of a fantastic group of volunteers!) and advised other landowners about what to plant and where. Our interactive map (shown below) shows where the planting is taking place.
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We have also established a tree nursery at the Knapp Road allotments where we grow tree and shrub seedlings that members of the community have grown or found in their gardens. These are now being successfully planted in community plantings.
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How you can help:
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Read about all things trees and climate change on the Woodland Trust website.
Become a volunteer and help us plant more trees.Â
Help us manage our tree nursery.
Donate any surplus seedlings to our tree nursery.
Carry out a hedge survey. wottonareacan@gmail.com
Our interactive tree planting map
Together with volunteers like you, we've planted 9,000 tree and hedge plants since 2019. To hear about our tree and hedge planting events, subscribe to our newsletter using the form at the bottom of the page or email wottonareacan@gmail.com.
Wildlife
There are many individuals and groups in and around Wotton who are keen to make the area as good for wildlife as possible. Sometimes however its just getting started on your own patch that is the hardest part.
Wotton Area CAN aim to provide as much useful information as possible to help the community on this journey.
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We are involved in various wildlife projects around the town such as providing support to St Marys Ecochurch and planting a wildflower bed at Holywell Picnic Site and we always welcome new volunteers.
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How can you help:
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Read our articles on creating wildlife habitats such as ponds and wildflower meadows.
If you have a young family join the Wotton Wildlife Watch group or join our volunteer group: wottonareacan@gmail.com
Learn about the Swift Nest Box Project by contacting Mark Pasco at markpasco@hotmail.co.uk
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Regenerative Farming
Regenerative farming harnesses the power of nature. It starts from the soil up, recognising that healthy soil produces healthy plants which are better able to fight off disease and grow strongly. Reduced ploughing and inputs also help reduce the carbon footprint of food production. Regenerative farming is exciting because it works for almost all farming enterprises at some level and so could have a major impact on climate change at the global as well as local level.
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There is also a growing interest in locally grown food whether it’s from market gardens, on your allotment or in your own garden. We are really lucky in Wotton to have a wealth of local producers and probably one of the best ways of investigating this is to go to Stroud Farmers Market.
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Did you know Wotton has its own Community Orchard? If you are interested in getting involved contact us here at : wottonareacan@gmail.com
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How you can help:
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See our talk on Regenerative Farming.
Follow a real regenerative farmer: Jake Freestone
Visit Stroud Farmers Market: https://fresh-n-local.co.uk/trader/stroud/
Rent an allotment to grow your own food: Contact Wotton Town Council
Join the Wotton Gardening Club for inspiration and seed sharing.
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Water
Climate change is impacting our weather systems and creating more extended periods of both wet and dry weather. Both of these effects put pressure on our locally important streams.
We are keen to mitigate against these effects and are working to have a better understanding of our local waterways and working to reduce the amount of run off going directly into our streams through natural flood management.
We also have an active group of volunteers who are also monitoring the health of our streams by carrying out citizen science monitoring including Riverfly Monitoring.
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How you can help:
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See our talks on Wotton's Water:
Join our Riverfly Monitoring group: wottonareacan@gmail.com
Learn how to reduce your water usage.
Upcoming Events
Thu, 09 MayUnder The Edge Arts09 May 2024, 19:30Under The Edge Arts, The Chipping, Wotton-under-Edge GL12 7AD, UK
Thu, 27 JunUnder The Edge Arts27 Jun 2024, 19:30Under The Edge Arts, The Chipping, Wotton-under-Edge GL12 7AD, UK