Imagine if you could make your area an oasis for wildlife...
with birds singing, insects buzzing, pavements lined with flowers...
We know that having nature on our doorsteps can be amazing for our physical and mental health and help us better connect with the people around us.
Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust want to inspire you in Watford to enjoy the nature on your doorstep and help local wildlife thrive!
Building on the success of Wilder St Albans, we will provide the advice and guidance that you and your community need to take care of the places that matter to you and create a Wilder Watford.
Whether it's planting window boxes on your balcony, establishing a hedgehog highway on your street or even leading a local green campaign ...
Every action for wildlife counts!
Why not join our Facebook community group and use this space to ask questions, find inspiration, offer advice and shout about what you are doing in Watford?
Wilder Actions Map: Watford
Layers
Key
Wilder Group
Wilder Business and Spaces
'Wilder Actions' are anything you are doing to benefit and protect local wildlife and the environment.
If you are already doing something or plan to in the near future, we'd love to hear from you...
Add your Wilder Actions to our Wilder Actions Map!
Need some inspiration? Head to our Actions page for WILD ideas and tips
Wilder Groups
There are many organisations and groups across Watford that are passionate and motivated to bring about positive changes for nature. Many of them are looking for volunteers too! Information on some of these groups can be found here, however, this list is not exhaustive.
If you are part of a group that is not listed here but want to be involved do get in touch and let us know.
Friends of Cassiobury Park
A local group who work to maintain Cassiobruy Park and collaborate with Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust to preserve the Nature Reserve. They monitor and keep people up to date on any new plans for the park and organise regular work parties with volunteers which include litter picking once a month and conservation work on the nature reserve twice monthly.
Find out more and get involved
Watford and Three Rivers Friends of the Earth
A climate action group dedicated to achieving sustainable and environmental change in the local area.
Find out more and get involved
Friends of Attenborough Fields
A local group caring for Attenborough Fields.
To find out more or get involved, contact: 01923 234828
Friends of Harebreaks Wood
A local group which care for Harebreaks Wood, a local ancient woodland. The group organise monthly work parties where volunteers undertake practical woodland management to maintain the wood.
Groundwork
A federation of charities dedicated to mobilising community action for the environment and against poverty. The Watford branch are currently leading a project to restore the river Colne in Watford to improve it as a habitat for local wildlife and make it more accessible for local people to enjoy too!
Feeding Our Future
A programme led by the Watford and West Herts Chamber of Commerce, committed to reducing food waste in Watford. They lead sustainability workshops to provide inspiration on how to reduce waste and have planted a series of Urban Orchards in 10 different areas in Watford.
Random Café
A not for profit project committed to tackling food waste within the community and campaigning to achieve a more sustainable food system. They run an allotment, waste food and plant shop and a café with plans to open a work space too, all of which rely on volunteers to run them.
Refillabell Watford
This is Watford’s first zero waste and plastic free shop! They sell ethical, sustainable, organic and local products.
Green gym conservation
A group for volunteers who want to engage in practical wildlife conservation work, horticulture and community food growing while also getting fit. They lead sessions every week, at both Cassiobury park and Colne River Park.
The Watford Peace Garden
Created by a group of keen gardeners who belong to Watford Interfaith Association with the aim of bringing members of faith communities together to work side by side. Anyone is welcome to spend time in the garden, it was a particular place of solace for people during the pandemic and many continue to visit regularly, especially dog walkers and children who like to play on the labyrinth! Weekly sessions are organised for volunteers to manage the space.
Community Connections Projects CIC
A not for profit company set up in 2014 to undertake land and river management projects in Watford.
Wilderhood Watch Oxhey (OVEG)
A community group set up in 2023 as a part of the Oxhey Village Environment Group. They are working to unite people in Oxhey to protect and create space for local wildlife with a particular focus on reducing light pollution and increasing pollinator friendly planting.
ASCEND Dig Deep Allotment
A community allotment in South Oxhey. The space is maintained by volunteers and managed to provide space for both wildlife and people. The volunteers are working at the moment to make it wheelchair accessible. Looking for new volunteers!
Esme Staunton Howe
Esme Staunton Howe is the Wilder Communities Officer for Watford. She says:
“It’s clear that people want to look after their neighbourhoods but knowing where to start is often hard. Nextdoor Nature gives people a platform to say how they want to get involved with nature on their patch, which is really important to me as I grew up in Watford and I want to see the town, its people and wildlife thrive."
Building a bird box © Broni Lloyd-Edwards
Nextdoor Nature
Thanks to £5million funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Nextdoor Nature Project will provide people with the advice and support that they need to help nature on their doorstep, and leave a lasting natural legacy in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.