A community‑led movement for nature recovery and sustainability
Wilder Walkern is a group of local residents working together to restore and protect our village’s natural environment and make Walkern more sustainable.
The UK is now one of the most nature‑depleted countries on Earth, but there is hope. Under the Environment Act 2021, every area must create a Local Nature Recovery Strategy to identify where nature is thriving, where it needs help, and what actions will make the biggest difference. Hertfordshire’s strategy is clear: Nature recovery cannot be delivered by councils and landowners alone. It needs communities. It needs people. It needs us.
That’s why Wilder Walkern exists.
We are actively seeking to work with the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust and their Wilder Communities programme, this demonstrates that if just one in four people take action for nature, we can create real, lasting change.
OUR VISION
To restore and enhance the natural environment of Walkern Parish by taking simple, practical community actions — from creating wildlife‑friendly gardens and supporting pollinators to improving habitats and reducing our environmental impact — so that our village becomes a thriving place for wildlife and a greener, healthier space for residents.
BUILDING STRONG PARTNERSHIPS
We are developing a collaborative network to support nature recovery in Walkern. Our key partners include:
- Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT) – we want to work closely with them to make use of their long-term planning and ecological expertise.
- East Herts District Council – supporting our strategic aims and helping align our work with wider district initiatives.
- Local and national organisations, landowners, and wildlife groups – we are actively building relationships to strengthen our impact and share knowledge.
These partnerships will help us deliver the principles and objectives at the heart of the Wilder Walkern initiative.
WILDLIFE SURVEYS AND BASELINE DATA
One of our first major tasks will be to develop a comprehensive baseline wildlife survey. This work will help us understand the current state of biodiversity in the parish and measure progress over time. The survey will inform future conservation actions, habitat improvements, and community projects.
COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
We are developing a range of communication channels to keep residents informed and involved. This website serves as an hub for updates, resources, and opportunities to participate.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
We are committed to helping people learn about nature and live more sustainably. Our educational materials include:
- Guides to local wildlife and habitats
- Tips for sustainable living
- Information on how to support biodiversity at home and in the community
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
Following our first community meeting, what came through loud and clear is that Wilder Walkern needs to be fun, and it needs to bring people together. Yes, it needs structure and coordination — it’s about nature recovery and sustainability — but it’s also about community, creativity, and giving people the tools to make things happen.
This is about shared ownership: connecting groups, connecting neighbours, and building something we can all be proud of. Not everyone will want to get involved, and that’s totally fine. But for those who do, we want to offer things to do, learning opportunities, and space to be creative.
We will need to fundraise and roll up our sleeves from time to time, but the more people who join in, the stronger this becomes. If you want to be part of it, great. If not, that’s okay too — just know you’re always welcome.
In addition to this website which we hope provides helpful guides and tools we will be organising a range of events, activitities over the year. This includes talks, competitions and garden challenges. These will be publicised and we hope as many people as possible take part.
RESOURCES & LOCAL STRATEGIES
Learn more about the policies, plans and organisations shaping nature recovery in our area:
- Walkern Neighbourhood Plan
- Hertfordshire Local Nature Recovery Partnership
- Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust
WALKERN TERRA CARTA
Our village’s pledge to protect, restore and celebrate the natural environment for future generations.
NEWS & UPDATES
Stay informed about upcoming events, community projects, workshops, and nature‑friendly initiatives happening in Walkern.
GET IN TOUCH
Have an idea? Want to volunteer? Curious about how to get started? We’d love to hear from you.