Hello from Cllr Sarah Dyke, Environment Portfolio Holder,

After the sad news of Her Majesty the Queen's passing earlier this month, we wanted to reflect on the amazing environmental work Her Majesty and the rest of the Royal Family have done throughout her lifetime, most notably the creation of The Queen's Green Canopy. This initiative was created to mark the Platinum Jubilee and aims to engage every country in the Commonwealth in planting trees and preserving forests. 

Much of the Royal Family have been involved in this project, as well as various other environmental initiatives and our new King has a particular interest in organic farming. It is encouraging to see that our Royal Family holds the same values as we do here at SSDC, so read on to find out exactly what we have been up to this September!

Best eco wishes from Sarah x

Why litter bins are not always the answer- Ham Hill Country Park

The removal of litter bins at Ham Hill Country Park has been hailed a success after the amount of litter at the site fell by approximately 85% annually!

After a spate of anti-social littering at the site, we were forced to rethink how to address an ever-increasing litter problem. In June 2019, we made the decision to remove all 14 litter bins from here, encouraging visitors to take responsibility for their own waste and asking them to take their rubbish home with them and recycle what they could.

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The response has been overwhelmingly positive! To find out more and read the full case study, click here. 

NEW tree tunnel coming to Lufton Nursery

Our Lufton Depot in Yeovil is not only home to our fantastic Environmental Services team, but also our plant nursery! This year, the nursery team have identified an underused tunnel and have taken the decision to adapt and modify this space to facilitate the growth of our own cell-grown tree stock.

The intention is to clear out everything currently in the tunnel and insert some raised beds that will be filled with a mixture of peat-free compost, sand and perlite, enabling the production of more tree stock for SSDC use and adding to our current stock of 1000 trees that will soon be ready to plant across our open spaces.

By growing the trees in-house this way, we are able to not only cut the cost of buying in young trees, but it also gives us the opportunity to grow more unusual and selective native species. This tunnel will also house native wildflower plugs, giving us a space dedicated to producing plant life that will re-wild and improve biodiversity in our open spaces, in line with the SSDC Environment Strategy.

Wildflower Seed Giveaway update

Having had 29 successful wildflower seed giveaway projects with an array of sizes and placement across South Somerset, SSDC requested each of the giveaway applicants to survey their sites prior to any site preparation. This ensured already species-rich grasslands would not be affected. The results of these surveys also interestingly showed the presence of several species of orchid on some of the sites!

Within the coming weeks all our applicants will have the opportunity to collect the seed and sow pre-emptively, ready for Spring 2023. Keep an eye out in the new year for wildflower updates!  

A Strategy for Somerset's Trees

Somerset is getting a long-term strategy to ensure its trees are fit for the future and provide a greater service to the County's ecology, landscape and people. A short survey (that should take no longer than 5 minutes) has been developed as we want to hear your views and what your vision for the future of Somerset's Tree Strategy looks like!

You can complete the survey here.

CALL OUT: Community-led climate and ecological action groups

Somerset Climate Action Network is launching its new map of community-led climate and ecological action groups and organisations across Somerset as part of Great Big Green Week this week which runs from 24th September - 2nd October and is the biggest ever celebration of community action to tackle climate change and restore nature. 

You can access the live map of all groups currently signed up here, and if you know of a local group to you who are doing some excellent climate and ecological action work but they are not listed on our map, please do put us in touch with them by emailing  somersetcan@gmail.com. 

The Somerset Green Directory is LIVE!

As part of the Somerset Retrofit Accelerator project, this directory has been put together to help you find local businesses and services to help you with your eco retrofit project.

You can use this tool to:

• Search local businesses for your retrofit project including architects, construction companies, insulation and renewable energy installers. There are currently over 90 listings!
• Learn about energy efficiency and low carbon retrofit through the Retrofit Resources.
• Find out what some Somerset homeowners have already done to retrofit their homes, along with other news, in the Retrofit Stories.
• Submit your own listing and join the Somerset Green Directory if you are a business working to improve the energy efficiency of Somerset's housing stock!

Community Fridge Network

A community fridge is a space where anyone can share surplus food to save food waste. Environmental charity Hubbub supports community groups to set up these community fridges and create a space that brings people together to eat, learn new skills and most importantly, stops good food from going to waste.

The Community Fridge Network redistribute about 7,200 tonnes of food annually - that’s equivalent to 17 million meals! This is important not just because of all the free tasty food being shared, but also because over the course of a year across the UK network of community fridges, an estimated total of 1,625 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions are avoided.

In Somerset, there are currently community fridges set up in Frome, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, Monkton Heathfield and Wincanton. If you want to help fight food waste in your community, you can find out more information about how to get started here. The Co-Op is also providing grants for setting up community fridges which you can see more details for below in our environment grants section.

Thermal Imaging Cameras lending scheme

Winter is setting in and with the rising cost of energy it is even more important this year to think about long-term energy saving measures.

After the successful trial of the thermal imaging camera attachments for smart phones and tablets last winter in Area East of South Somerset, we are working in partnership with the library services to enable the loan of the camera attachments for wider community use across South Somerset. This will allow residents to see where heat is escaping from their properties and make the necessary adjustments to their homes.

The scheme is due to start towards the end of October/start of November and updated details will be added to our website here.

Local Community Network Consultation

Calling all Environment Champions! Get involved with the Local Community Network (LCN) consultation. This is an opportunity for you to have an input into how the LCNs will work and suggest how they could continue to support you and your community in all the great work you are doing to act on the climate and ecological emergency. You’ll be asked various questions on their geographical coverage, their purpose and what they should be called.

So what is an LCN? You’ll find a full list of FAQs here, and you can respond to the consultation here. So let the conversation begin to include a voice for our community’s needs in regards to the climate and ecological emergency!

Consultation is now open and closes on 17th October 2022.  

South Petherton Tree and Wildlife Group (TWiG)

TWiG ran a ‘wildlife gardening open day’ in July, and were thrilled at the attendance. People purchased wildlife friendly plants and made wildlife gardening pledges whilst listening to talks on the subject. Some young wildlife fans ran a children's table with activities and a beetle hunt around the garden!

The group also have several projects:

• Underway at the moment is the creation of an acre of perennial native wildflower and grass meadow for the Parish Council. A local farmer has agreed to cultivate and sow the plot with seed TWiG are buying from Emorsgate seed company (slightly more expensive, but home-grown!).
• Sowing two trial wildflower plots using seed collected from SSDC’s Parish Wildflower Seed Giveaway and from a nearby meadow in Drayton (with permission)!
• Planting another 100 metres of hedge at the end of November with free saplings received from the Woodland Trust – you can apply too using this form.
• Over winter they will be writing their plan for declaring a climate emergency in South Petherton Parish with achievable action targets!
• There are also plans to write a wildlife gardening guide for local residents.

For more information, get in touch here.

Green Business

Case studies from the Carbon Reduction

Grant Scheme

Find out how your business could save money and reduce its carbon emissions by visiting Somerset’s Central Hub for Businesses to find out what your business can do to help tackle climate change!

The Carbon Reduction Grants for Business Scheme, jointly run by Somerset’s five local authorities, was set up to help local businesses save money and reduce their carbon footprints. Two of the successful businesses in applying to the grant scheme, include:

• Knight Electrical Switchgear Ltd, based in Donyatt Business Park near Ilminster, who successfully applied for a grant to help towards replacing the outdated fluorescent lighting in their production area, as well as old single glazed doors and windows. The new lighting is provided by energy efficient LED units, which will both save money on the amount of electricity consumed and help further reduce their carbon footprint.

•  Little Upton Holiday Lets, Long Sutton, near Langport, used their Grant to upgrade the recycling facilities for their guests. The purchases include clearly labelled waste recycling bins for cardboard, paper, glass, plastic and tins. Guests are actively encouraged to recycle as much waste as possible and it’s hoped the recycling facilities will encourage holiday makers to improve their recycling habits.

The grant scheme is currently closed but do keep an eye out for future opportunities here. 

Bat Walk- Friday 30 September, 6:30-9pm, South Petherton

Join Somerset Wildlife Trust's Yeovil & District local group for a bat walk at Frogmary Green Farm, South Petherton. We will meet and talk about bats, have a bat related activity and then go and find some bats. Waterproof footwear is advisable, as well as torches. Booking is essential, please email hawkehelen@gmail.com to reserve your spot.

Tinkers Bubble Open Day- Saturday 1 October, 11am-4pm

Tinkers Bubble are hosting their annual open day on Saturday 1 October. The main gathering-point will be in the sawmill/pressing shed area at the bottom of the hill near their car park (up the lane from Little Norton). You are also welcome to wander the land, but please be aware of livestock and resident's privacy. For more information about the event programme, please visit their website.

FREE Rural Crafts Course- 4-7 October & 18-21 October, 10am-4pm each day, Carymoor

This course will give you a chance to learn a range of traditional Somerset rural crafts, including willow weaving, basket making, green woodworking and ceramics. It will help you to learn new skills, build confidence, and help you towards volunteering and employment opportunities, and further learning.

Based at their wonderful nature reserve, the courses will be led by Carymoor's Education Manager, Karen Boswell. Places must be booked in advance, so if your interested please contact administrator@carymoor.org.uk.

SSDC Green Flag Award Webinar Knowledge share- Wednesday 12 October, 7-8pm (Virtual)

If you’re interested in finding out more about the Green Flag Award scheme, we are hosting an introductory webinar for any interested parishes, towns or communities that have parks or spaces which they may like to enter for an award. To join the zoom webinar on the 12 October, click here.

• Meeting ID: 876 7891 3171
• Passcode: 030338

Somerset Wildlife Trust Fundraiser- Friday 21 October, 6.30pm, Over-Stratton

The PigPen, a unique, eco-friendly gathering space, are once again teaming up with Somerset Wildlife Trust to host a fundraising event, following the success of the summer open garden fundraiser, which raised £600.

The event will promote winter gardening for wildlife, served alongside a hearty-homemade feast. The Wildlife Trust will also be previewing their autumn auction of beautiful works of art donated by local artists and there will be a special raffle of quality items from local artists and food producers. Visit their website for more information or you can register your interest via email here.

Environment Grants

You can find all information on external grants and funding on the South Somerset Environment website. Please click here for details, along with details of some key ones this month below:

• SSDC Community Grant (Environment focused) – a reminder that SSDC offer community grants (matched up to £12,500), and support environmentally focused projects. Applications accepted all year. Scheme details.

• Rewilding Britain Innovation Fund - grants up to £15,000 are available for innovative projects that help remove barriers to land and marine rewilding projects, prioritising community ownership model sites. Deadline 14 October. Scheme details.



• The Co-op Community Fridge Fund - Grants of £4,000 are available to not-for-profit organisations to develop Community Fridges (a space where everyone can share surplus food, including donations from local food businesses, producers, households and gardens). Deadline 30 Oct. Scheme details.

• Community Climate Action Fund (National Lottery) – between £50,000 to £1.5million available for community-led partnership projects making a clear link between climate and nature. Applications accepted all year. Online events for prospective applicants are available.

• Local Nature Grants (Linnean Society) - Grants of up to £1,000 for schools, charities and community groups to engage young people with nature. For example: building/restoring a community garden, a nature walk, hiring a speaker, painting murals showcasing biodiversity, or running a nature event. Deadline 1 Nov. Scheme details.

• The Banister Trust – up to £50,000 for conservation or protection of the natural environment, e.g. bird boxes for churches/village halls, wildlife gardens, habitat restoration or creation and purchasing land. Applications any time to charitabletrusts@ludlowtrust.com.

• Tree planting grants, including:

• Tree Council Grant – up to £2,000 for community tree planting projects, as well as Free orchard trees for schools. Apply here.
• UK Community Tree Planting Grant – up to £15,000 to support town, parish and community tree planting projects. Deadline 16 Dec. Apply here.
• Woodland Trust free tree pack applications are live for town, parishes and communities. Apply here. 

Actions and advice

The cost of living crisis is affecting every household which is exactly why we have put together all of our energy saving tips here to help those in need of advice. You can also checkout our grants section to see if there is any support on offer, or for a longer term solution why don't you consider retrofitting your home!

The council tax energy rebate scheme is still live! If you have not yet claimed your £150 rebate, please visit the SSDC website.

Top tip of the month

Make sure your big purchases have big environmental benefits. 

If you are planning on a big purchase whether that be a car, a new boiler or a new washing machine, think of how those will impact the environment. Alternative examples include electric or hybrid vehicles, hyper-efficient boilers and white goods with high energy saving ratings. A great option is looking at accredited refurbished and second hand options.

Visit the Energy Saving Trust's website for more advice.

Support and explore your community resources 

We know that many of our residents are constantly on the look out for ways to reduce their carbon footprint but might not always read every Get SuSSed to find this information.  We wanted to make sure that nobody missed out, so we have collated all this support onto our shared resources and templates page on our environment website!

Here you can find information about different courses, websites and toolkits to support a more eco-friendly lifestyle. If you have any ideas for new toolkits to support carbon reduction and biodiversity, or know of one already circulating that others would benefit from, please contact the Environment Team here.

@KateRaworth-Twitter

Kate Raworth is an English economist known for 'doughnut economics', which she understands as an economic model that balances between human needs and planetary boundaries. She is Senior Associate at Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute and a Professor of Practice at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. Her Twitter account provides engaging and informative graphics and comments regarding the UK economy and environment.

Nature's Treasures by Ben Hoare

The world is filled with curious objects made by plants, animals, and even by the Earth itself! Nature's Treasures is a stunning nature encyclopaedia for young readers to explore, with reference pages packed with fascinating information.

Frozen Planet II- BBC iPLAYER

In this eye-opening documentary, Sir David Attenborough explores how our planet is on the brink of a major climate change and the devastating impacts this is already having on wildlife. We see the incredible ways in which they are adapting and overcoming this change in some of the most hostile environments on Earth.

Forest Therapy by Sarah Ivens

From a simple walk in the woods and countryside couples therapy to DIY natural beauty products and how to bring the outdoors to your home, Forest Therapy will provide seasonal tips to help you reconnect with nature.

If you enjoy Get SuSSed and would like to share it, you'll find the link on our website here. Just copy and paste the link into your social media or within some text on your website. Or just forward the email to friends.

You can also find all previous issues of Get SuSSed here.

You can get in touch about Get SuSSed at ssdcenvironment@southsomerset.gov.uk