Team Wilder FAQ's

Big thanks to our amazing speakers Elsie Harp (@divinabotanica) sharing her love for the regenerative power of flowers and her journey into herbalism, and Sara Venn telling us how to start a community garden - or rather how NOT to do it and what to avoid!

Despite the rain we had around 50 people join us, and for most of our attendees it was their first visit to Grow Wilder - overall a lovely day full of connections and great conversations around connecting with our communities and nature.

Lunch, wildflower seeds and inspiration was provided, as well as a friendly atmosphere for people to share ideas and knowledge. It was lovely to connect with like-minded people. 

Emma Young’s  Notes from the Team Wilder Community Campfire

There were 2 speakers: Elsie Hart of Divina Botanica

A florist and floral healer with experience of using flowers to help people with both physical and mental ailments. Elsie described her feelings about Dandelion and Hawthorn.

Dandelion
Has a deep tap root to anchor it and help bring up nutrients and nourishment into the soil. The flower is medicinal and help the liver. All parts of flower can be used. A diuretic. The colour yellow has a frequency that affects our solar plexus. Multidimensional. Helps build connection to nature. Supports mental and physical health.

Hawthorn
Red berries, may flowers. Flies pollinate the flowers - musky smell once pollinated, Leaves, flowers and berries are edible, Prickly stems, Flower can anchor you via the heart - indigenous wisdom. Flower energy can affect your own energy hence flower remedies. Impact of nature on mental health being carried out by University of Northumberland.

Sara Venn of Incredible Edible Bristol
Used to work in horticulture - moved to Bristol 12 years ago. Helped set up over 30 community gardens within Bristol. Need people for a garden - taking unused land for communities. 

To set up a community land:
Wait for people to come to you - what are their ideas? Generally will be 3 people who don't know how to start a community. Arrange a meeting with a sign on the land in question. This first meeting will attract everyone with an opinion. Second meeting will be only those prepared to work. Have events/talk to everyone in community by going door to door. Co-design a space. Focus on perennial nature friendly plants - always have a seat so you can enjoy the space. Don't put up fences or raised beds. Create healthy soils for healthy plants. Let nature have its space maybe allow it to be dominant. Always include some water - Water is Life.

TEAM WILDER RESOURCES for local advice and links about setting up a group, progressing a group, taking over green space, local funding opportunities and advice, local councils explained and more. 

Judith in St Pauls, Bristol  Learn more about her community gardening projects and how you can get involved (donate plants, weed or water the plants!!) or be inspired to do something where you live. 

From  J: I love Ron Finley! Love that he inspired you too 😍

From  S: love your enthusiasm. and brilliant you adopted a piece of land. made me laugh what your friend said to make you take it on. well done!

From  M: Really inspiring, Judith.  And I agree that Ron Finley's work is also a great inspiration to anyone who wants to #plantsomesh*t whether it's gangsta gardening or not.

From  K: Total agree with your ethos. Guerrilla gardening was what originally inspired me to get my hands in the soil.

Sarah in Redcliffe learned a lot about bringing more nature to local people, sharing her experience about her amazing projects.

From  S: Fantastic the gardens is your oyster.  Beautiful.  Your right about the flowers. I have had problems with blooms they have mowed down

From  M: Good luck with your plan to take over Redcliffe (and the world) one plant at a time, Sarah!

Chris in Emersons Green  Friends of Emersons Green Park have created many wildlife friendly features, events, a festival and have 265 people registered as part of their Community Nature Reserve. 

From  M: Really lovely to see your forest garden, Chris.  We are trying to do something similar at Frome Valley Growing Project and I am wondering if you have any problems with deer or rabbits?

From  J : There are a number of private gardens in 2 streets in Bedminster who , with Ben Barker’s help, have become Urban Nature Reserves - Exeter Rd and Gathorne Rd.

Learn more: Community Nature Reserves

General Questions

Q: How do people water community gardens as this can be a struggle
A From  M: Really sympathise with the watering woes.  It would be great if there were someone who could help with setting up rainwater collection on your site(s).
A From  Sarah + Markie - Redcliffe Gardening : watering=camping water barrels that roll pulled with a long handle.- as we cant put water butts anywhere. and fertilizer sack- type water carriers that lie in a wheelbarrow and have a cap ontop ( found online) also 'Hugelkultur 'beds that trap moisture.
A From  S : At the open day the weekend before last a community garden at Fishponds had quite a good setup, just collected off the roof of their little shed - food grade blue drums at staggered heights to overflow into each. About 6 in a row :)
A From  S: I think the method might be Hügelkultur that you spoke of :)
A From K: no-dig has been really successful for me with regards to conserving water

Q: RE: Forest gardens. Do you have any problems with deer or rabbits?
A From S : Garlic chives beneath your apple trees is great to deter coddling moth (not sure about deer though lol)
A From  J: I wonder if herbs like rosemary, lavender, mint and wild marjoram would survive rabbit and deer browsing, to create a low shrub layer?
A From  M: I think that some or most of the lemon balm has survived.  And the comfrey has grown tall enough to avoid too much deer nibbling.
A From Esther Frizell-Armitage : Deer don't like having to jump into a confined space so if you have brash piles/dead hedging near your fruit trees then that should help deter them.
A From  M : Thanks, Esther!

Q From  K: I’d be interested to know if any of the speakers have come up against any negativity or resistance from members of the community, and if so what they have done to keep up good relations and avoid things escalating?
A From J: Try to meet people where they’re at. People have different opinions and views. When you go public know that not everyone will love what you do – even though you do.

General Comments

Add your community groups and projects to the Team Wilder community map, also see what's happening near you

Book a free consultation with the Team Wilder Community Ecologist for help with your garden, community space or small holding.

For more information about the Wildlife Champions Project please don't hesitate to get in touch: emma.fennellhodson@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

From  R: Thanks all- very inspiring!
From  M: Thanks to all the speakers!
From  J: Really inspiring talks, thank you!
From J: Thank you! Lovely to hear all the ideas and enthusiasm
From  J: Thank you!
From  M: do you have a date for the next campfire?
A: In September – watch this space for the next in person campfire at Grow Wilder

See more information on Jasmine's case study

Q From  Toni: What’s the film (that Jasmine Isa Qureshi talked about) called? How does one get to see that film?
A: My garden of a thousand bees
Maybe we could organise a screening? Watch this space…

Q From  Jane: Sounds like you (Jasmine) are involved in some amazing things! What's the most inspiring thing that you have been involved in over the last 6months? (Or any time period!)
A: Jasmine spoke about the Natural History Museums Explorer’s Programme she has been involved with, a development programme for scientists and students from diverse backgrounds.

Q From Ami: Do you (Jasmine) know of any LGBTQIA+ groups or non-binary communities specifically in Bristol that volunteer or come together in nature?
A: Queer Rootz is a great place to start, recently set up by Jasmine herself
A You could try OTR Bristol Nature works 
Or look at starting your own? Team Wilder set up your own group

There is a lot of local advice on the Team Wilder Ponds page

Stephanie’s case study has a lot more detail

From  Emily: Hi Stephanie, you mentioned earlier you should ‘ideally have different levels’ in your pond… is there a particular reason for this? I’m looking to start my own city pond!
A: So that wildlife can easily get in and out of the water. Roots of pond plants vary in size, which also effects the growth of plants.
A: Bog garden plants are available at Grow Wilder and create important and specific habitats for wildlife.
A: Another reason for having different levels in the pond is that it's wise to have a deeper area for creatures to shelter in if/when shallower water freezes in winter cold snaps.

Q From  Ami: Hi Stephanie, is it important to position the pond in a sunny or shady spot...just trying to work out where best to position mine?  And also wondered if you had a little ladder for hedgehogs to get out of your pond should they need to? Fascinating talk - thank you
A: Ideally a mixture of sun and shade is best. A little ladder or a branch would work, steps/different levels or ideally a shallow area for a bog garden would be great to help animals such as hedgehogs to easily get in and out of the pond.
From  Ami (they/them) : If you would like a hedgehog in your garden stephanie I can help you with that - they would love your garden as a release site! 

Q From  Sophie & Dan: Would love to know how you grew the long "grassy" area, in more detail, particularly if you managed it in a shady area, as we struggle!
A: Mini meadows can be grown at home Team Wilder Mini Meadows
Stephanie grew: ragged robin, yellow rattle, daisy, red clover, buttercup , ox-eye daisy.

Q From  Carole: We put a pond in about 4 weeks ago. To date we have not had any wildlife inhabit it. Are we best to just leave it and let frogs or newts come themselves or should I get frogspawn or similar from someone with an established pond?
A: From  Grenville: You can add frog spawn to a pond from another source (but be mindful of the risk of transferring disease/pests)
A: Wildlife should naturally appear over time. It is worth looking at the access to your garden – are there fences that stop wildlife? – holes could be added or vertical growing up the walls/fences, or hedges are great to attract more wildlife. It is worth finding out if neighbours also have ponds or wildlife features to check that your garden is not isolated.

The Team Wilder map is a great way to see what people are doing for nature and also get ideas.

Q From  Jasmine: Hi Stephanie, how often do you weed your pond we have one in our community allotments but nothing seems to be happening at the minute in the sense of wildlife
A: Just weed it in the winter, once per year to least disturb wildlife

From  Stuart: Good to mention Esther, the team Ecologist, she has recently been to our space and the report and advice is excellent

Q: Hi, it was great to hear your story; Thanks I am trying to resurrect the similar pond i had some years back, and wondered how big your very rich pond is, and what plants you had. Mine dried when the lining got pierced, probably by some plants ?(flag Irises? ) and I am going to re-invent it. On a toad migration path so will be full of spawn. Cheers Peter
A: Grow Wilder sell a good variety of pond plants.
A From  Stuart: Iron Acton Garden Centre also has a good selection of pond plants and oxygenators
A From  Jane : I was amazed that I managed to order native pond plants online and they came in the post!! Well worth a google search to find lovely plant providers. Who knew you could post a pond lily!!! :)

From  Silvia: We have a small garden so was planning on getting a Belfast sink and turn it into a pond… is this a bad idea?! Any recommendations on how to make something small but wildlife friendly please?

A That’s a great idea and will really benefit wildlife! More advice on https://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/ponds-team-wilder

Comment from Grenville: It might be helpful if folks wish to set up a pond they  de -chlorinate the tap water before adding plants or fish. Also the fish will send up the Ammonia levels  at the onset  when they are introduced, then nature takes over to turn them into nitrite then nitrates which help to feed the plants. Perhaps your presenter might add this, or perhaps you can set up a guide to setting up a pond?
NB Avon Wildlife Trust do not recommend fish in wildlife ponds, as they tend to eat other pond wildlife.

General Questions asked
Q From  Sue: Will I be able to view this later?
A: Yes a recording will be available 🙂

Q To Ami, I have a large garden becoming meadow, woody bank and etc, and used to have hedgehogs: can you help me get one/two?
From  Ami (they/them) : I volunteer for hedgehog rescue south glos so I tend to save them and help release them rather than have oodles of knowledge about how to attract them, but I can totally try and help in any way I can or I know some amazing hedgehog people I can ask advice of sure - email me ami1983@hotmail.co.uk :-)  We also look for enclosed gardens and suitable release sites often!

Q From  Robert: Hi, I need advice please. I work at Fairfield High School. We have identified an area on our grounds which we’d like to rewild. I have no experience at all. Step-by-step practical advice would be wonderful. 😀
From  Helen Wood : Robert re your school, that's exciting, maybe one for the community ecologist and AWT also have some training coming up specifically for schools - details on the website :)

From  Georgina: Hi. I don't have a garden as I live in a flat, but I do have window boxes. I have been growing herbs in them for several years, but wanted to plant some flowers. I planted some bulbs - miniature iris, miniature tulips and daffodils, but the local squirrels have dug up most of the bulbs and eaten them (eye witness evidence!). Any suggestions of other flowers I could plant that won't overgrow a window box?
A: I have this issue with squirrels in my garden. I put small sticks in the soil and on top of the soil to try and prevent them doing it.   Also popping dry bark and leaves on top can help.   You could also leave peanuts out, I’m sure squirrels would prefer them to bulbs 😁😁🐿️
A: Some nice wildflower combinations for containers/window boxes/pots: oxeye daisy, common knapweed, bird's-foot trefoil // small scabious, bird's-foot trefoil, common toadflax // wild marjoram, yarrow, salad burnet. Or for a larger container a mix of any of these.

From  Emma - Thornbury : Hi. I volunteer for a permaculture garden that was created last year at a retirement home in Thornbury. We have just received funding for a new sensory garden that we are just starting to create. Does anyone have any advice on what grasses or tall plants we can plant on the edge of the garden? Will also have to be quite hardy as the sensory garden will only be protected on 3 sides by the retirement home.
A: You can get advice from the Grow Wilder wildflower nursery or get free ecological advice from the Team Wilder Ecological Advisory Service

Links and info from AWT team:
From  Helen Wood : Training: Nature and Health facilitator training: 20th & 21st June, 17th & 18th July, 8th & 9th Aug
Community Connector: 2nd & 3rd Oct, 7th & 8th Nov. Contact Helen.wood@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

From  Sophie AWT : Lots of funding and this training opportunity on this link Find a Funder

From  Emma Hodson (she/her) : If anyone wants to know more about Wildlife Champions, feel free to drop me an email (emma.fennellhodson@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk)

From Tay Aziz AWT (she/her) : Enter the Wildlife Gardening Competition 

Q            Where did Hemlata get her grant from?
A            Grow Wild Kew
               Also see more opportunities on Team Wilder Find a Funder

Q            Hemlata - were the children accompanied by adults when they came along to the Community garden?
A            Yes, all the children who came, came with their parents. As a part of the funding, I had to carefully collect consent from parents about attendance and photos!

Q            What activities did you do / grow with the children? What did they enjoy most? :-)
A            They enjoyed finding out about gardening 'lifeskills' so things like transferring plants from smaller pots to big pots, planting poppies and herbs (which grow quite quickly so they enjoyed seeing those plants grow) and arty activities like leaf painting, painting pots and making bug hotels! There's lots of sweet pictures on the Newtown Nature Club Instagram page: @newtown.natureclub :D

Q            Hemlata - how did you invite/encourage people to join the nature club when it first started?
A            My area, Newtown, had its 50th anniversary street party a couple of weeks before I started the club, so I took that as an opportunity to meet as many children and families and hearing about what they'd want from a gardening club and made sure Newtown Nature Club reflected what they liked - meaning that a lot of kids wanted to join!

Q            Hi Hemlata, sorry if I missed it - was it once a week? which day/time of day was popular? how long were the sessions? and was it just over the summer (a one off project) or is it continuing? Thanks
A             Hi Lucy, it was once a week on Sunday afternoons! The summer gardening was a one-off, but we get together as a community sometimes at times over the year and it has increased interest in people gardening in their own homes! Plans for this year are uncertain, but we do like keeping in touch and have some plans.

Comment            Sue Adamson : I run a local wildlife group in Pill and Easton-in-Gordano and we hold events for local families. We get a really good response and attendance at our events. It is great to involve the children in hands-on activities.
Comment            Thank you Hemlata & Grenville, it's so uplifting to hear both of your experiences.
Comment            Hemlata, I love that you focused on enabling people to succeed  - such a good motivator :)

More info            Team Wilder story: Newtown Nature Club BS2

                              Instagram: newtown.natureclub

Community Group appealing to a younger demographic

Q            From  Laurence Binks @Lyde Green OpenSpace Group : Good Evening all.  My question is as a community group we want to reach out to the younger demographic, is there a programme within AWT that we could use as a blueprint if we wanted to go into the local schools?
A            I work at AWT and we do some work in schools. This link has some info about improving schools grounds. What sort of things were you looking to do? Avon Wildlife Trust School Grounds Pack
If you'd like more info please email me at sophie.keats@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk thanks! :)

Wildlife friendly hedge-bank

Q            Is there practical advice available for creating a sustainable wildlife habitat on a hedge-bank between two allotment sites in Horfield? We're trying to manage overgrown and invasive hedging (largely blackthorn) to open up space for wildflower planting and other habitats, like hedgehog houses and bird-friendly planting. We also need advice on stabilising the sides of the bank when we remove some of the blackthorn roots.
A            How steep and big are the banks? There is a type of hedge known as a Cornish hedge/Devon hedge-bank that uses stone, soil and planting on top (trees) to help bind them.
Hemp based seed bags - somewhere like a Travis Perkins or other builders yard will sell hemp sandbags.
Mulching?

Management plans for green spaces

Q            I'd also be interested in advice on devising management plans for green spaces. I help out as a volunteer with various new meadows we've created on Parish council owned land in Pill. WE have many great volunteers who know a lot, but support and input would be useful
A            The Team Wilder ecologist is coming soon, who you will be able to book time in with for specific site advice for community groups.

Street Party
If you want to plan a street party to get neighbours together I run the Street Party Site. Ask me if you want to know more after reading the site https://www.streetparty.org.uk/. Email contact@streetparty.org.uk. Chris

Community owned land in Totterdown
We are rekindling a community Owned space in Totterdown called Zone A and would love to hear from anyone who is interested in getting involved... taca4zonea@gmail.com We are Alice and Vera and we are also on FB Zone A Community.... Thanks 🙂🌿

Managing Grasslands
Hi Lucy, I'll be running some 'Managing Grasslands for Wildlife' training in May. It's free, but not available to book just yet, keep your eye on https://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/mywildcity for updates or feel free to email me at alex.dommett@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

Got Greens Farm
We've just a grant from the woodland trust for 420 trees! They are getting delivered in November and will deffo need some help planting them if anyone is interested please fill out our contact form at the bottom of this page https://www.gotgreens.farm/

There is also a huge Home Educating community in Bristol who may be interested in getting involved in projects.

Q: I’d like to add my actions for nature to the map. What counts as an action for nature at home? Can I add things I do for the climate like cycling and recycling?

• The more actions uploaded to nature, the better! To inspire and motivate other people nearby to do the same and possibly link actions up. Please stick to nature based actions like planting wildflowers, wild patches, native hedges, hedgehog holes and houses, bee and bug hotels, pollinators in planters, wildlife friendly vegetable growing, no pesticides. More ideas for taking action for nature here
  I wouldn’t include activities like cycling, so that the map focuses on nature based activities – but do include recycled materials that support plants, please include talking to friends and neighbours about wildlife/biodiversity loss, sharing pictures of local wildlife etc as this raises awareness and encourages others to do something for nature, at home or in the community. The text you add to ‘Tell us what you’re doing’ will be shown on the map when clicked on.
• Upload your actions for nature here

Q: Can I upload more than once?

• Yes! Especially for community actions for nature, as these are in different locations. If you have taken further action at home, just add another form submission.

Q: Ruth asked Where would a beginner start to design a wildlife garden?

• There are loads of ideas about Wildlife Gardening with local examples, from a beginner point of view. It’s good to think of your garden from the point of view of wildlife you’d like to attract and consider water, food, shelter and breeding space. Water is a great place to start seeing results, even if an old washing up bowl will be a mini pond.
• Visit Grow Wilder for ideas, advice and visit their wildflower nursery in person or wildflower nursery online. Walk around to see wildlife gardening in practice.
• John Belton Nailsea Climate Emergency: sidhillecogardens on Instagram is a great channel for wild flower wild gardens. He runs course too.
• Tom from @wild_garden_revival suggested to start small – just an old bowl of water will attract wildlife. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes!
• Team Wilder is all about sharing and celebrating the small actions for wildlife, so try something, don’t worry if you fail and share it on the Team Wilder actions map

Q: Trish asked for ideas how to discourage neighbours cats from hiding near my bird feeders?

• Tom answered this very well as he has cats and so do his neighbours. He suggested growing spikey bushes so that the birds have plenty of cover, pyrcatntha and holly for example. Try to view the garden from a birds point of view in terms of safe places to hide before getting food or water. Bird boxes are also more likely to have inhabitants if near a covered area. Tom also added spikey bush trimmings around the base of the food containers to discourage cats as well. They will always be there, so don’t let cats be a reason not to introduce wildlife to your garden or outdoor space.
• Elspeth: Supersoakers are good for cats! (Not advisable from Avon Wildlife Trust)

Q: Tony didn’t understand how to access the maps Sophie talked about - had a quick look on teamwilder website and I can’t see it.

• This is the link to the Team Wilder actions map.

Q: Luke asked if there are there any current projects around the Chew Valley/Bristol/Mendips that are looking for volunteers at the moment? He would love to get involved.

• Team Wilder Community Maps are in early stages, until they are built up you could sign up with Avon Wildlife Trust Volunteers and search or ask locally.
• Clive:     Chew Magna Community Farm is really good.
   

Q: Nicky asked about plans to offer training on things like how to update a community group webpage? Or using Eventbrite etc? “I feel like I need to learn how to get better at using social media to eg promote events  but I don't want it to take over my life”

• Good point and understandable! Team wilder content recommendations are more than welcome! I am happy to add these resources to help you save time etc. There is a focus on setting up a group, funding, events, communications etc. We can add some digital skills as well :-)
   

Q: Comments/advice about going against planning applications and the UK Governments dangerous agenda of deregulation that puts the laws protecting nature at risk.

• The Wildlife Trust has a Defend Nature campaign, please get involved Defend Nature | The Wildlife Trusts
  Ian: See this tweet about the Wildlife Trusts Defending Nature
• Jude Rice & Claire Loder -  Blooming Whiteway: There is also a campaign against ecocide to recognise it in law stopecocide.earth
• Alex - Avon Wildlife Trust:            This is a really useful page for advice responding to planning applications: AWT Wildlife Planning and Development.
• Nick: Ask local people and they will come up with fantastic ideas
   

Q: Louise: Just to say, this event has been amazing - I've just moved to Bristol and it's so great that there is this community here. Maybe make it a regular meeting?

• Watch this space – we have been discussing this very thing 😊

Watch the Team Wilder Introduction Talk

John Belton Nailsea Climate Emergency: Thanks for a very useful presentation.
Chrissy Patching: Thank you incredibly inspiring!
The Badhams:    Thanks very much to all the presenters. It's been very interesting.
Tay Aziz:              Inspired by all of your passion to keep taking action for nature and thank you all for joining this evening - please keep in touch!
Sophie:  Super inspiring, now to do something for nature in my garden! Thanks for the advice.
Andy:     Thank you - really inspiring ..
Nicole:  Thank you all.
Helen:   Thanks everyone I need to leave now look forward to updates.
Helen:   Beautiful garden Tom very inspiring.