The natural world isn’t just something for us to enjoy; it sustains us. The decline in nature puts our very survival and prosperity under threat. It doesn’t have to be like this; together we can create a Wilder Kent.
Kent Wildlife Trust is the leading conservation charity in the South East and one of 46 national Wildlife Trusts. For over 60 years we have been saving and improving habitats to ensure that Kent’s wildlife can thrive and people can enjoy the natural world around them. With your help, we can continue to do this for generations to come.
Kent Wildlife Trust is working with schools, communities, developers, and local councils to ensure that we all have access to wildlife in our towns and cities and that wildlife is protected and can thrive. By supporting them to improve existing green spaces, and create new spaces, we can promote and enable people and wildlife to coexist and flourish.
To ensure that 30% of Kent's land and sea displays increased climate resilience and contains abundant wildlife.
Wildlife is in crisis. We continue to lose our most precious remnants of wild natural space and vast numbers of our insects and birds. Our existing laws are too weak and the climate and nature crisis we face is not being taken seriously enough. We need ambitious natural climate solutions that reduce and capture carbon, stop ecosystem destruction and make our towns and cities cleaner and greener.
We are delighted that you are considering entering the Wilder Kent Awards and joining the other wonderful villages, towns and cities that are doing their part to make a Wilder Kent. We can’t wait to hear about all of the ways you are helping to restore nature by taking positive action to promote a Wilder Kent.
All of the award criteria are outlined in this guide and there are multiple award tiers (commendation, bronze, silver and gold) that can be achieved. The more criteria you meet, the higher your award will be.
By entering, you will be showing your ambition to connect people with nature and protect wildlife for the future. Any achievement is a helping hand for wildlife and the scheme allows you to increase your award level year on year so that you can continue to inspire your community and help wildlife to thrive.
No matter how many criteria you can meet, we would like to thank and congratulate you for your efforts in helping to create a Wilder Kent.
Below are a few ideas for simple things you can do to achieve a Wilder Kent in each awards category:
Set out a clear policy commitment through your Neighbourhood Plan and Local Plan to create green corridors and networks of habitat to support wildlife in your local area. Map out areas for nature’s recovery. Set out clear policies on Biodiversity Net Gain, aspiring to create 20% improvements for wildlife through the planning process. Explain how you will use these policies to enhance habitats in your area.
Influence planning applications locally to protect and enhance wildlife. Oppose developments which will damage wildlife and encourage schemes which improves biodiversity. Work with specific developments to ensure that the best outcome is achieved for wildlife.
Set out and implement priorities for nature’s recovery. Commit to manage council-owned land to support wildlife. Promote “No mow May”. Raise awareness of the value of your local Roadside Nature Reserves (RNRs). Ensure that management companies align their work plans with your Biodiversity Strategy. Form a Climate and Biodiversity Committee to guide action. Implement a Pesticide Free Village/Town/City Action Plan and set a date to become pesticide free. Encourage management of allotments to benefit wildlife. Develop local wilding projects.
The day to day choices we make have a direct impact on our environment. Improve the environmental sustainability of your organisation to reduce your carbon footprint.
You could...
This will encourage the use of electric vehicles.
This will help to reduce carbon emissions.
Nature-based solution schemes like Wilder Carbon can lock up more carbon in habitats that benefit wildlife.
Set a target of becoming a carbon neutral village/town/city and develop and implement an Action Plan.
Engage and work with young people in the village/town/city to help to shape the council’s decisions.
Run campaigns to inform and educate residents around food sustainability.
Protect wildlife in Kent and teach residents how they can support it. Deliver and support activities that engage and inspire others to get involved with their natural environment and support nature.
You could...
Record habitats and species in the local area. Ensure that data is sent to the Kent and Medway Biological Records Centre (KMBRC) to inform scientific research & environmental policy.
Undertake demonstrable work to protect priority and locally important species.
Encourage local people/groups to take part in Wild About Gardens.
Support schools and community groups to work towards a Wilder Kent Award.
Create a mini nature reserve on available unused land
Support local landowners and regenerative agriculture projects.
Participate in awards schemes that benefit local natural heritage.
Support and promote community initiatives which enhance biodiversity in public spaces and private gardens.
Our awards celebrate the work of local councils in reconnecting their communities with nature. Their actions provide local benefits and help tackle the global environmental threats we all face.
Throughout your journey, please fill in your submission form to keep track of how you are meeting each of our awards’ criteria. All the while, ensure you are collecting supporting evidence. Your evidence may include photos and videos, reports, data, other certificates or press coverage.
Once you have filled out your submission form and gathered your evidence, you are ready to upload your evidence and submit!
To be considered for the 2024 award ceremony, all submission forms and supporting evidence must be submitted to us by Friday 31st May 2024
You can contact us for help or alternative methods at [email protected]
