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Climate and Nature
Alcester Connected for Climate and Nature
What’s the plan?
This fun, community-led project is all about helping bees, hedgehogs, butterflies and other vital creatures by making Alcester a haven for wildlife. Together with local schools, nature groups and the community, we will be:
- Planting pollinator friendly wildflower areas around town and in school gardens.
- Installing hedgehog highways and hedgehog houses so our spiky friends can roam safely.
- Hosting nature loving events like a Bioblitz, Bee Festival, Nature Photography Competition and Hedgehog Evening.
- Share useful guides and tips.
- Start volunteer groups to keep the good work going year after year.
- Working towards getting Bee Friendly Town status
Why does it matter?
Our bees and hedgehogs are in trouble and need a helping hand. This project is about turning the tide by restoring habitats, raising awareness and getting the whole community involved.
And its not just good for wildlife, this project brings lots of benefits to Alcester too! This is an opportunity to get involved, learn new skills, act on climate change, create beautiful spaces and feel a sense of local pride and community spirit.
What we have done so far (up to March 2026)
Working with the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), the Council has planted 200 metres of new hedgerow at Weir Fields and Bleachfield Street play area, creating valuable wildlife corridors.
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust has also supported tree planting on Council land. The wildflower planting programme has now been completed, providing important food sources for pollinators.
Community engagement has been central to the project.
A Hedgehog Evening in February welcomed more than 50 residents and Alcester Community Shed showcased handmade hedgehog houses at the event, receiving several new orders from local resident’s keen to support wildlife. Warwickshire Wildlife Trust also delivered a hedgehog assembly at St Nicholas Primary School.
Across local secondary schools, over 1,000 spring bulbs have been planted, alongside two fruit trees in the community orchard and four trees in Weir Fields.
Some areas of Council owned land have also been left to grow naturally to boost biodiversity, and plans are underway to transform a neglected allotment into a wildlife-friendly space.
Education remains a key focus. Elizabeth Lake from LEAF recently worked with students from Alcester Grammar School and St Benedict’s Catholic High School to deliver an interactive hedgehog session for pupils from Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School.
Upcoming Events
Bee Festival – 30 May 2026 – 10am – 2pm
Alcester Town Council is pleased to announce that Coughton Court will be hosting our Bee Festival on 30 May 2026. Preparations are underway for a lively, bee-themed morning dedicated to celebrating pollinators and inspiring practical action to support nature.
Visitors can look forward to a range of engaging activities, including:
- Children’s crafts and activities such as building bee hotels, insect hunts, wildflower seed bomb making, and face painting
- Guided garden tours
- A local beekeeper with an observation hive
- Bee-friendly plant sales
- Honey-inspired refreshments
- Live music
This family-friendly event aims to raise awareness of the vital role bees play in our ecosystem and highlight simple ways everyone can help enhance local biodiversity, supporting the Council’s Climate & Nature priorities.
The Big Green Week Events
Two exciting events are planned as part of Great Big Green Week: 6th – 14th June 2026
Climate and Nature Drop-in Event
9th June, 3pm – 6pm at The Eric Payne Community Centre, off St. Faiths Road, Alcester
A fun, free celebration of nature, wildlife and community, focused on local biodiversity, expert advice on the natural environment and volunteering opportunities. A “Map Your Future” wall will give attendees the chance to share their ideas and priorities. A chance to explore, discover and get involved.
Bioblitz – 9 June – 12 midday – 7pm
Join us for a community Bioblitz to discover and record the wildlife in our local area. Participants will work in small groups to explore parks, hedgerows, and green spaces, identifying plants, birds, and insects, and carrying out simple habitat surveys. Observations can be recorded on paper or using biodiversity apps, helping to build a clearer picture of our local environment.
These events will help raise awareness, encourage volunteering and support Alcester’s commitment to climate and nature recovery.
For more information contact info@alcester-tc.gov.uk or telephone Wendy on 01789 766084
Nature Photography Competition for under 18’s
Calling all nature lovers, photographers and curious explorers!
Join our Nature Photography Challenge to discover, record and celebrate Alcester’s amazing wildlife and habitats.
This could be wildlife, plants, trees, insects or landscapes from around Alcester.
Open from September 2025 to August 2026.
Submit your best photos and the winners will feature in the 2027 Alcester in the Wild Calendar.
All entries to be sent to info@alcester-tc.gov.uk
Please see the Terms and Conditions Sept 2025
Local Climate and Nature Action Plan
Alcester Town Council adopted the latest version of its Local Climate and Nature Action Plan on 7th October 2025.
Live more with less! Zero Waste- Blog and Zero waste news
Hints and tips to help look after our threatened hedgehog population- Hedgehog Highways
Watch the video here Hedgehog Highway Video