Wilder Kent Award Winners 2025-2026

Wilder Kent Award Winners 2025-2026

The natural world is more than something to admire - we rely on its very existence. Our health, prosperity, and future all depend on it. While nature declines, so too does the security of our communities. The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way. Together, we can build a Wilder Kent.

The Wilder Kent Awards celebrate the inspiring work of schools, businesses, nurseries, colleges, universities, towns, cities, and community groups that are taking meaningful action to restore and protect nature. From transforming school grounds to greening workplaces and revitalising community spaces, these changemakers are helping to create a county that is richer in wildlife and more resilient to climate change.

Their efforts don’t just benefit local landscapes and communities; they contribute to tackling the global environmental challenges we all face.

And the momentum is growing. This award season, a record-breaking 90 groups across the county stepped up for nature, making it our most successful year yet.

Key facts:

• 🏆 90 winning groups – 10 Commendation, 31 Bronze, 25 Silver, 22 Gold
• 🌱 25,000+ people recorded as having taken positive action for nature
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 an estimated 400,000+ people recorded as having benefited from the various projects
• 🌳 an estimated 67.7 hectares improved/restored for nature as part of the various projects

Schools, Nurseries, Colleges, and Universities

At Kent Wildlife Trust, our mission is to restore wildlife abundance and strengthen climate resilience across the county. We know that achieving this means addressing the growing disconnect between people and nature - and we believe that connection must begin early in life. By inspiring young people and capturing their imagination, we can nurture a lifelong love of the natural world and empower the next generation of environmental stewards.

That’s why our work with schools, nurseries, colleges, and universities through the Wilder Kent Awards is so important. The programme celebrates and champions the dedication of children and young people across the county who are taking meaningful action for nature. From school councils and eco teams to gardening clubs and student unions, young people are leading change - inspiring their peers, strengthening their communities, and helping to create a Wilder Kent for everyone.

Commendations ⭐

• Barton Manor School
• Ellington Infant School
• St George's C of E Foundation School
• The Duke of York's Royal Military School
• Ulcombe CE Primary School
• Ursuline College
• White Cliffs Primary and Nursery School

Bronze 🥉

• 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
• EKC Dover College
• Graveney Primary School
• Grovepark Primary School
• Horsted School
• Kingswood Primary School
• Mereworth Community Primary School
• Radnor House Sevenoaks
• Rainham Mark Grammar School
• Selsted C of E Primary School
• St George's CE Primary School, Wrotham
• St. Michael's Preparatory School
• Steephill Independent School
• Swingate Primary School
• The New Beacon

Silver 🥈

• Aldington Primary School
• Great Chart Primary School
• Harrietsham Church of England Primary School
• Herne C of E (Aided) Junior School
• Junior King's School Canterbury
• Lower Halstow School
• Newington School
• Northbourne CEP School
• Pennies Hockers Lane
• Pennies Newnham Court
• Rochester Independent College
• St Lawrence College Junior School
• St Nicholas At Wade C of E Primary School
• Temple Ewell CEP School
• Valley Invicta at Holborough lakes
• Wouldham All Saints Primary School

Gold 🥇

• Blean Primary School
• Bridge and Patrixborne CEP School
• Canterbury Christ Church University
• EKC Group, Broadstairs College
• Hoath Primary School

• Iwade Primary - Mr Tom's Forest School

   

Community Groups

We’re incredibly proud to work alongside a range of dedicated community groups across the county who are transforming local spaces for wildlife. Often powered by small teams of volunteers and operating on limited budgets, these groups give their time, energy, and expertise in all weathers to make a real difference for nature. Through habitat restoration, species protection, and creative community projects, they are strengthening biodiversity and breathing new life into local green spaces. Just as importantly, they are inspiring others to get involved, building a shared sense of responsibility for the natural world within their communities.

The Wilder Kent Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate this passion and commitment, recognising the extraordinary efforts of groups who are making a tangible contribution to Kent’s natural heritage. 

Commendations ⭐

• a:dress

Bronze 🥉

• 1st West Malling Scout Group
• 2nd Whitstable Cubs and Beavers
• 8th Folkestone Guides
• Friends of Milton Creek Country Park
• Hayle Park Nature Reserve Trust
• Keep Bromley Green
• pop up Temple
• Transition Dover

Silver 🥈

• Friends of Broomhill (Reg Charity 1188060)
• GRASS Cliftonville CIC
• L'Arche Kent
• RSPB Northbourne Wildlife Explorers
• Staple Wildlife Friendly Village
• Sunken Garden Society

Gold 🥇

• Allington Millennium Green Trust
• Communigrow
• Dane Valley Woods
• Eynsford Green Team
• Friends of Victoria Park
• HLCD - Dartford Growing Community
• Invicta Sun Club
• Lynsted Community Kitchen Garden
• The Sage Network CIC

• Windmill Community Gardens Margate

   

Villages, Towns, and Cities

At Kent Wildlife Trust, we are immensely proud to champion the villages, towns, and cities across the county that are embracing a wilder future. Through the combined efforts of local councils, community organisations, and passionate residents, these places are reimagining their urban and rural landscapes - creating greener spaces, restoring habitats, and helping wildlife to thrive. From forward-thinking green initiatives to sustainable planning and community-led action, these communities are demonstrating what meaningful environmental stewardship looks like in practice. 

We're so pleased that the Wilder Kent Awards offers the opportunity to recognise and celebrate this vision, dedication, and transformative impact, while shining a light on the places helping to shape a Wilder Kent for generations to come.

Commendations ⭐

• Faversham Town Council

Bronze 🥉

• Westerham Town Council

Silver 🥈

• Hextable Parish Council
• South Willesborough and Newtown Community Council

Gold 🥇

• Maidstone Borough Council
• Tenterden Town Council
   

Businesses

2024 marked the pilot year for our Businesses category, and in the 2025-2026 season they delivered once again! These forward-thinking businesses are committing their resources and expertise to protecting natural landscapes and strengthening biodiversity across the county.

Whether it's embedding sustainable practices into their operations or driving innovative environmental initiatives and building partnerships within their local communities, these companies are demonstrating true environmental leadership. They recognise that thriving nature and a resilient climate are fundamental to a sustainable future and a Wilder Kent.

Commendations ⭐

• Valley Provincial

Bronze 🥉

• Diggerland
• Solton Manor Wedding Venue

Silver 🥈

• Amazing Animal Encounters

Gold 🥇

• English Heritage- Dover Castle
• Fenn Bell Conservation Project
• Spadework
• Walmer Castle and Gardens