The highest ever number of schools, businesses, community groups and charities have been honoured at Kent Wildlife Trust’s Wilder Kent Awards for their work for nature, with more than 25,000 individuals taking part and the benefits felt by more than 400,000 people across the county.
The awards saw 90 organisations shortlisted across four categories: businesses, community groups, schools, and villages, towns and cities. Together, their efforts restored or improved almost 70 hectares of habitat for wildlife - the equivalent of 98 football pitches!
The ceremony was held at Chapel House Estate in Minster on Saturday 7 March, with a key note speech from conservationist and wildlife presenter Giles Clark. In total, 22 organisations received gold awards, 25 silver, 31 bronze and 10 commendations.
Tom White, Education Manager at Kent Wildlife Trust, said: "Every year we are blown away by the entries we receive. To be given an insight into so many fantastic projects, taking place all over the county, is a real privilege. These projects are creating habitats for wildlife, restoring natural spaces and working to tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis we all face.
“These awards don't only celebrate the actions taken for nature and the impact these actions have, but they also celebrate the people involved - the awards ceremony on Saturday was the perfect celebration of this."
Judges commented that the standard of entries was the highest yet, making the judging process tougher than ever. Below are highlights from some of the standout entries.
Three volunteers received top honours: Education volunteers Julie Tipper and Kate Wheaton, and Wilder Wellbeing Volunteer Leslie Berry. Team of the Year certificates were presented to the Sevenoaks Gardens and Reserves Tuesday Teams, Dover Castle Livestock Checker Team and the Education and Engagement Volunteer Team.
Bridge and Patrixbourne CEP School has embraced the Wilder Kent Awards with impressive ambition across the whole school community, earning a gold award for its efforts. All pupils take part in Forest School sessions and regular outdoor lessons, building a strong connection with nature. The school has planted over 1,000 trees and hedgerows and pupils have engaged in climate action days, wildlife studies and sustainable growing. A standout achievement was a biodiversity research project exploring whether biodiversity improves happiness, which led to pupils presenting their findings at the Royal Society in London, an extraordinary and inspiring opportunity.
Broadstairs College has delivered one of the most wide-ranging entries the awards have seen, securing gold recognition. Wildlife-friendly spaces span the campus, from meadow areas and ponds to bat boxes and student-built minibeast habitats. A headline achievement is the creation of Kent's first artificial swift colony, with seven swift boxes installed alongside the RSPB and Get Wild. The college has also made significant strides in carbon reduction through composting, LED lighting and renewable energy tariffs, underpinned by strong student leadership and a dedicated sustainability champion.
Hoath Primary School has created a genuinely wildlife-rich environment, with nature woven into everyday school life, earning gold recognition for its efforts. Habitats across the site include wildflower areas grown from collected seeds, ponds, bug hotels, bat boxes and hedgehog homes, all designed and monitored by pupils. The Eco Club and School Council lead research projects, run litter picks and campaign beyond the school gates on issues including traffic and idling engines. Recycling, composting and water conservation are embedded throughout, with an orchard and garden supplying the school's own baking club.
Iwade Primary and Mr Tom's Forest School has made outdoor learning central to school life, with its Forest School growing into an exceptional space for wildlife and wellbeing - recognised this year with a gold award. Five on-site ponds - supporting populations of Great Crested Newts - provide valuable habitat and hands-on learning. Children play an active role in monitoring wildlife, and initiatives such as No Mow May and chemical-free gardening are firmly embedded. The Eco Warriors pupil group drives action on recycling, energy use and litter, including organising a community litter pick in partnership with local police.
Communigrow is an outstanding example of how food growing can transform lives, strengthen communities and restore nature simultaneously - a worthy gold award winner. The charity works with people of all ages, from Communigrow Tots and SEN school groups to veterans, older adults and those experiencing bereavement. Their show gardens demonstrate wildlife-friendly growing through native planting, wildflowers and insect habitats. In 2025, staff and volunteers completed carbon literacy training and developed their own accredited Carbon Literacy curriculum, helping others take meaningful climate action across Kent.
Dane Valley Woods is a compelling example of community-led conservation, delivering hands-on habitat management while placing local people at its heart, recognised with gold at this year's awards. Volunteers have created a mosaic of woodland, grassland and reptile habitat, including a dedicated lizard glade. Wildflower meadows buzz with pollinators, bat walks attract new audiences, and successful lobbying has reduced mowing in adjacent areas. Formally designated as a Local Wildlife Site and commended in the Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards 2025, the project operates with a 10-year management plan and a deep commitment to community wellbeing.
Gold award winners
- Allington Millennium Green Trust
- Blean Primary School
- Bridge and Patrixborne CEP School
- Canterbury Christ Church University
- Communigrow
- Dane Valley Woods
- EKC Group, Broadstairs College
- English Heritage – Dover Castle
- Eynsford Green Team
- Fenn Bell Conservation Project
- Friends of Victoria Park
- HLCD – Dartford Growing Community
- Hoath Primary School
- Invicta Sun Club
- Iwade Primary – Mr Tom's Forest School
- Lynsted Community Kitchen Garden
- Maidstone Borough Council
- Spadework
- Tenterden Town Council
- The Sage Network CIC
- Walmer Castle and Gardens
- Windmill Community Gardens Margate
Silver award winners
- Aldington Primary School
- Amazing Animal Encounters
- Friends of Broomhill (Reg Charity 1188060)
- GRASS Cliftonville CIC
- Great Chart Primary School
- Harrietsham Church of England Primary School
- Herne C of E (Aided) Junior School
- Hextable Parish Council
- Junior King's School Canterbury
- L'Arche Kent
- Lower Halstow School
- Newingate School
- Northbourne CEP School
- Pennies Hockers Lane
- Pennies Newnham Court
- Rochester Independent College
- RSPB Northbourne Wildlife Explorers
- South Willesborough and Newtown Community Council
- St Lawrence College Junior School
- St Nicholas At Wade C of E Primary School
- Staple Wildlife Friendly Village
- Sunken Garden Society
- Temple Ewell CEP School
- Valley Invicta at Holborough Lakes
- Wouldham All Saints Primary School
Bronze award winners
- 1st West Malling Scout Group
- 2nd Whitstable Cubs and Beavers
- 8th Folkestone Guides
- Barton Court Grammar School
- Brenzett CofE Primary School
- Brockhill Park Performing Arts College
- Chilton Primary School
- Christ Church Students' Union
- Darrick Wood Infant and Nursery School
- Diggerland
- EKC Dover College
- Friends of Milton Creek Country Park
- Graveney Primary School
- Grovepark Primary School
- Hayle Park Nature Reserve Trust
- Horsted School
- Keep Bromley Green
- Kingswood Primary School
- Mereworth Community Primary School
- Pop Up Temple
- Radnor House Sevenoaks
- Rainham Mark Grammar School
- Selsted C of E Primary School
- Solton Manor Wedding Venue
- St George's CE Primary School, Wrotham
- St. Michael's Preparatory School
- Steephill Independent School
- Swingate Primary School
- The New Beacon
- Transition Dover
- Westerham Town Council
Commendations
- a:dress
- Barton Manor School
- Ellington Infant School
- Faversham Town Council
- St George's C of E Foundation School
- The Duke of York's Royal Military School
- Ulcombe CE Primary School
- Ursuline College
- Valley Provincial
- White Cliffs Primary and Nursery School