WILDER ENMORE AND GOATHURST

(local actions supporting the Somerset Local Nature Recovery Strategy launched in 2026)

​

The Wilder Enmore idea was presented at the May 2023 Enmore Parish Council (EPC) Village Assembly. The EPC adopted the idea with Goathurst Parish Council subsequently voting to join in. The Wilder Enmore and Goathurst initiative was born with a mission to improve sustainable wildlife habitat within both parishes to increase nature biodiversity and support balanced ecosystems through the active support of those living or working in the Parishes. In addition to create a connecting wildlife corridor network across gardens, farmland, churchyards, Enmore Primary school and green spaces in the villages.

​

The initiative chose key areas of improvement through networking with residents, the Headmaster of Enmore School, the parochial church councils and large landowners. To facilitate and encourage the communities, Village WhatsApp and Facebook groups were set up. The chosen project sub-groups were: residents' gardens, hedges and verges (specifically farmer/parish responsibilities), Enmore School, the churchyards and Parish Council owned land in Enmore. Regular litter picks also started. Work was supported by a combination of  outside funding, private donations and community volunteering.

​​

In September 2025, Enmore achieved the first Wilder Community Award from Somerset Wildlife Trust, with Goathurst following as the second in February 2026. In June 2026, Wilder Enmore and Goathurst was awarded CPRE’s Countryside Changemaker Award. 

​

Councillors Fiona Jackson and Beth Riches, representing the group, have presented the key achievements of the respective villages and their proven “plan and approach to action” at various local gatherings, other village parish council meetings and at annual events for the Quantocks Hills National Landscapes, Somerset Wildlife Trust, Friends of the Quantocks and Somerset Council.

 

Encouragingly, adjacent parishes have either started or are discussing starting their own Wilder initiatives to further extend wildlife corridors in the area through community action and fill gaps in the Somerset Nature Recovery Network.

 

Three key messages have been successful in driving engagement with the initiative:

• Everyone of us can make a difference

• Build it and they will come

• What happens next is up to us (Sir David Attenborough).

​

​

 

​​