Nextdoor Nature Project - review of 2023

Sarah Watson

Community Organising Officer 

Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Nextdoor Nature project is about empowering local communities to take action for nature where they live and work. As Community Organising Officer for the project, I support communities, particularly those who are less connected to nature, to build the skills to run their own projects. Evidence shows that being better connected to nature has real health benefits for people, and also means they are more likely to protect our natural heritage.

I work mainly with Hastings communities and have developed new relationships with neighbourhoods and groups there. At family events this autumn, provided by a local Housing Association, I planted over a hundred colourful crocus bulbs with children, to help bees, butterflies and other pollinators when they flower next spring. Joining in with activities like this has been a great way to get to know people and find out how I can support them.

In Ore in Northeast Hastings, I found out that families who hadn’t experienced Forest School were interested to find out more about it. Meanwhile, Ore Community Land Trust are encouraging people to make the most of Speckled Wood, the urban wood they look after.

This summer, with the support of Ore Community Land Trust, we held a free Forest School taster day at the woodland for families to enjoy. Find out more here. Parents and children had a fantastic day and said they wanted more Forest School. As a result, last month, I assisted a local nature-led learning and play provider to apply for a grant to run some free trial sessions in Speckled Wood next year.

Another community project I’m supporting is Street Gardening in St Leonards town centre, where people are starting to get together to make their neighbourhood more attractive for wildlife and people.

Thank you to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for supporting Nextdoor Nature.

To find out more about Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Nextdoor Nature project in Hastings and Bexhill, see here also the Facebook page

Here for information about Speckled Wood