Ventnor is a town teeming with people taking action for nature. Situated at the southern tip of the Isle of Wight, it is surrounded by stunning landscapes and an array of species rich downland which contributes to the Island’s status as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. But the wildlife doesn’t stop there. Secreted between the residential streets, passionate locals are planting wildflowers, increasing biodiversity and creating a network of wilder spaces for nature to thrive.

A couple weeks ago, I met up with some of the locals who took me on a tour of Ventnor’s urban delights. First up was the local allotment space used by both individuals and community groups. I spoke with Terri who was tending a patch for the anxiety café. “People come along just to be outside,” said Terri. And we all stopped to reflect - listening to birdsong amongst the trees that line the ever present, yet non-intrusive, main road behind the allotments.

The VEF have also made a significant contribution to habitat creation here. Galvanizing local volunteers, they have earmarked sites across the town where they have introduced plants and implemented management regimes which are better suited to increasing wildlife. Their work also provides opportunities for local people to get involved in practical conservation tasks.

Close by, I was shown the premises of Ventnor’s Community Shed where locals have been making planters, benches, and bird boxes – many of which are incorporated into the wilding of spaces throughout the town by the VEF. It soon became clear that what I was experiencing was a self-effacing holistic approach to taking action for nature that the whole community was involved in. I felt an immense sense of how important this day was going to be. One shed user said: “We are just all on the same page.” And it was this simple sentiment that certainly shone through.

Ventnor is a town split by its geography and later in the day we visited Lowtherville. Situated higher up the valley, this area inherently has a sense of separation to the lower town. Local Councillor Mark Jefferies talked about the work he and volunteers were undertaking at the cemetery. Here, he hoped, they would create new planting regimes to open up the entrance. At St Margaret’s Hall, Tony Macarthy, Community Development Officer for Ventnor Town Council, said that there were opportunities to convert patches of grass into more diverse wildlife areas, with possible growing plots to serve this area, too.

Tony said he hoped projects here could help people to connect with their wider landscape by first introducing them to the wildlife outside their front doors. It’s this relationship between people and nature that’s vital. Through coming together under a common cause, Ventnor has galvanized its residents into action and made more space for nature to thrive. Alongside this, by working together, meeting up and learning about local wildlife, people are feeling a renewed sense of who they are and their place in their community.

Walking away that day I couldn’t stop smiling and reflecting on what had been a truly inspirational day. Ventnor epitomises what it is to be a #Wilder Community Group. The more people we can bring on nature’s side, on the side of #TeamWilder, the greater difference we can make - together.

Kelly Wetherick

Kelly is a Wilder Communities Officer based on the Isle of Wight.