At PEN we seek to:
🌿 Support and enable residents to
take action for nature in their villages.
🌿 Grow and connect the wild spaces across the Poldens.
🌿 Promote positive actions for the climate.
Find us on Facebook:
POLDEN ENVRONMENTAL NETWORK
Email: poldensgroup@outlook.com
About us
PEN was formed in 2023 by a group of like-minded people from across The Poldens who were concerned about wildlife and the closely linked climate situation.
In March 2024 we held our first seminar, in conjunction with Somerset Wildlife Trust, to provide information and advice to Parish Councils and communities on adapting to climate change locally.
In September 2024 a detailed Climate Adaption Plan was produced. Most villages are now working on their own plans and taking action inspired by this comprehensive document.
In September 2025 we held a seminar for landowners – from garden owners to verge owners, village greens to small holders, schools and churchyards – looking at how land can be managed in a more environmentally sensitive way to both mitigate the effects of climate change and provide habitats for wildlife.
PEN meets monthly and has organised moth trapping, wildflower surveys and visiting local environmental projects. We plan to purchase equipment to enable more village wildlife surveys for everyone to get involved with and learn about the nature on their doorstep.
We welcome new members.
PLEASE GET IN TOUCH!
CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIODIVERSITY CRISIS – HELP! What can you do?
There are lots of things that you can do locally that can help with both of these things. Here are just a
few…
REDUCE your energy consumption; unplug unused electronics, turn off lights, insulate your home better, use cars less and buy local seasonal produce.
ADAPT to climate change; ask your Parish Council about their adaptation plans and get involved!
DON’T BIN IT; instead of throwing away your unwanted items, list them on a local buy/sell/free Facebook page or use Freecycle. Take broken items
to a Repair Cafe.
CHECK with your Parish Council for your next
village litter pick.
MAKE A SPACE for nature
BE A MESSY GARDENER – leaving dead stems and leaves provides a great overwintering habitat for hundreds of species from beetles and other pollinators to hedgehogs.
MAKE your own compost, if you buy
compost make sureit’s peat free.
WATER is a vital resource for wildlife; if you don’t have room for a pond then a bird bath or washing up bowl with stones will give
refreshment to insects and birds.
USEFUL CONTACTS
If you find a sick or injured wild animal contact Secret World:
📞 01278 783250
🌐 www.secretworld.org
Want to plant some trees?
🌐 www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
Spotted some interesting wildlife?
Record it on the iNaturalist app.
Want to learn more about local wildlife?
Contact Recorders of the Avalon Marshes:
🌐 www.roam-somerset.org.uk
Adapting to climate change:
🌐 www.somersetwildlife.org/climate-adaptation.
FWAG SW promotes sustainable agriculture that benefits
both wildlife and the farming community:
🌐 www.fwagsw.org.uk
Repair Cafes are held monthly in Bridgwater and Street. Details on:
🌐 www.somerset.gov.uk or Facebook
Want to help wildlife in your garden? Search wilder gardening on:
🌐 www.somersetwildlife.org