Some ideas for a Wild Sherborne Action Plan ….
Vision and Mission Statement for
Wild Sherborne
Vision Statement
To inspire a thriving community where people and nature flourish together,
celebrating the unique landscapes, habitats, and wildlife of Sherborne for
generations to come.
Mission Statement
Wild Sherborne is dedicated to protecting, enhancing, and connecting the natural
spaces of Sherborne through community engagement, education, and conservation.
We strive to foster a deeper appreciation for local biodiversity, empower residents to
take positive action for wildlife, and ensure that Sherborne remains a ‘wild’ and
welcoming haven for all.
Background
In 2019 Sherborne Town Council declared a climate emergency. On the council
website
https://sherborne-tc.gov.uk/green-sherborne/
the council shows how they are responding to this through a range of organisations.
Wild Sherborne particularly considers the habitats and wildlife of our wonderful town
and has a section on the website indicated by the Logo:
?
In June 2025 the leader of our Executive Committee, Neil Walker, was made aware
how important a central group incorporating as many nature groups in Sherborne as
possible would be. If we all pooled our ideas, expertise and efforts we would make
Sherborne a really ‘Wild’ place, nature would benefit and community action would
take place.
So, on September 25 th 2025, we had our first meeting of a range of organisations,
DWT, Butterfly Conservation, Sherborne Community Orchard, Sherborne in Bloom ,
etc. From that a smaller Executive Committee met once a moth to Blah blah blah
blah ….
We are planning a Public Meeting at ….. on …. 2026 to describe our vision for Wild
Sherborne.
Vision – more details
Sherborne’s natural environment, Greenspace and biodiversity is restored,
protected, enhanced and respected, enabling basic needs like clean water and
healthy, productive soils to exist. From this we can observe and record the
increasing numbers and variety of living organisms so that we can see them thriving
and returning to Sherborne.
Our major concerns are Biodiversity and Environmental Resilience to Climate
Change (?)
Biodiversity
Wild Sherborne will formulate a biodiversity action plan that will help nature to
recover in keeping with Dorset Council’s Nature Positive Dorset 2030. Wild
Sherborne will sign up on the Nature Recovery Dorset Network ???? We will
promote
1. Rewilding of the Castle Meadows ???
2. Rewilding of XX area and YY to provide wildflowers for pollinators.
3. Recording of butterflies, mammals in the town and displaying the results on a
giant map in Sherborne Castle Gardens ??
4. Insect friendly plants for Sherborne in Bloom
5. Wildlife friendly gardening ??
6. The construction and instillation of Swift nests ??
7. The planting and use of Community Orchards and public spaces ?? The
grassland areas around them to be made suitable for wildflowers to help
butterflies and bees.
8. The observation and recording of hedgehogs in the town and develop
community action for hedgehog highways ??
9. A footpath alongside the river Yeo from XX to YY to allow public access and
improve its water quality
10. Regular Riverfly and Nitrate/Phosphate testing of the River Yeo by citizen
scientists to ensure improving water quality.
11. ?
12. ?
13. ?
Environmental Resistance to Climate Change ??
Climate change is inevitable, and we need to be prepared for cool wet winters and
hot dry summers in the town
1. We need more open areas for productive community use such as allotments
and horticulture ??
2. Tree planting should be encouraged to provide shade and carbon capture
3. Environmental-friendly transport and travel need to be promoted by …..?
4. Promote sustainable water management in Sherborne ???
Public Engagement
The involvement in the residents of Sherborne is key to this project. In keeping with
the Nature Positive Dorset 2030 initiative we hope to have at least 1 in 4 people in
Sherborne by 2030 involved with taking action with nature with activities such as
Recording butterflies, hedgehogs, and other wildlife on the Castle Gardens
Map
Involved with wildlife friendly gardening
Involved with conservation tasks in the town and surrounding areas
Involved with recording Swifts and maybe installing Swift boxes or bricks
Taking part in Sherborne in Bloom
Caring for wild spaces in the town such as Orchards, pots, ……?
School projects and lessons ….?
Targets
In our first year we aim to do the following
1. Record and Display the wildlife recorded in Sherborne on a regular basis
2. Protect and Enhance all nature
3. Promote re-wilding of open spaces at …..
4. Replant depleted areas with trees, hedgerows and flowering plants
5. Create ‘green corridors’ for wildlife
Nature Positive Dorset 2030" – (copied from Google AI)
refers to the ambitious local goal of protecting and managing at least 30% of the
county's land, rivers, and seas for nature by 2030. This initiative, a core part of
Dorset Council's Natural Environment, Climate & Ecology Strategy, aims to halt and
reverse biodiversity loss and contribute to national and global targets.
Key Goals and Actions
The initiative is a collaborative effort involving Dorset Council, the Dorset Wildlife
Trust, the Dorset Local Nature Partnership, landowners, and the local community.
The primary objectives are to make Dorset's natural habitats "bigger, better and
joined up".
Key aspects include:
30×30 Target: Achieving the national and international commitment to protect
30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.
Local Nature Recovery Strategy: Developing and implementing a strategy
that sets clear goals and builds a strong foundation for nature recovery
Habitat Restoration: Restoring and expanding habitats (such as wetlands,
grasslands, and woodlands) and improving the abundance and diversity of
wildlife.
Sustainable Land Management: Working with farmers and landowners to
adopt sustainable practices and integrate green infrastructure into
development through initiatives like Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).
Community Engagement: Inspiring 1 in 4 people in Dorset to take action for
nature, through initiatives like wildlife-friendly gardening, volunteering, and
local projects.
Nature-Based Solutions: Prioritising the use of nature to address wider
environmental issues such as flooding, climate change mitigation (e.g.,
carbon storage in peatlands and saltmarshes), and water quality
improvements.
How to Get Involved
Residents, businesses, and community groups can contribute to the Nature Positive
2030 goal:
Join the Network: Sign up for the free Nature Recovery Dorset network to
share activities and be part of the collective effort.
Volunteer: Participate in practical conservation work, wildlife surveys, and
community planting days with organisations like the Dorset Wildlife Trust.
Manage Your Space for Nature: Make your garden or local green space
more wildlife-friendly (e.g., planting hedges, creating water features, avoiding
pesticides).
Support Local Policies: Engage with local planning processes and
campaigns to ensure nature's recovery is central to decision-making.
By working together, the aim is to create a climate-friendly, nature-rich county where
the decline of biodiversity is reversed by the end of the decade.
