Trees and wildlife group south petherton

What we do…

We plant trees in our parish.

We make meadows.

We create and restore hedges.

We do litter-picking days.

We hold wildlife awareness-raising events.

We engage young people with nature.

We grow trees to plant more trees.

TWiG is…

a working group within the parish of South Petherton.

We are a growing, informal and friendly group of local like-minded volunteers who are keen to engage with the local environment and improve biodiversity within our community.

Join TWiG at our next…

• tree planting morning
• hour of practical hedge upkeep
• morning litter-picking
• scything and ground preparation session
• welcoming, informal meeting 
• TWiG social

Our mission is to increase biodiversity and reduce the effects of climate change in our local area, the parish of South Petherton (Somerset, UK).

TWiG is now officially an Unincorporated Association!

This just means an organisation set up through agreement between a group of people who come together for a reason other than to make a profit eg a voluntary group.

At a member meeting on the 29th Jan 2026, the Constitution of TWiG was written and ratified by all present. The ‘Terms of Reference’ provide further detail.

Terms of reference for South Petherton Tree and Wildlife Group (TWiG)

Objective:

In South Petherton Parish:

Increase biodiversity, identify any land usage contributing to climate change and seek to reduce the effects of climate change

Terms of Reference:

The South Petherton Tree and Wildlife Group will engage with the appropriate responsible agencies, professionals and volunteers to develop a comprehensive action plan to increase biodiversity, identify land usage contributing to climate change and reduce the effects of climate change, including flooding, on land in South Petherton Parish. This policy will include the following key elements:

• To assess the biodiversity across the parish
• To improve biodiversity across the parish
• To engage and support the community in projects that will increase wildlife habitats in the parish
• To assess the impact of the use of land in the parish with regard to climate change
• Investigate and develop uses of land in the parish that will reduce the effects of climate change

• Responsibilities and activities
• Conduct professional surveys of flora and fauna on areas of land in the Parish with landowners’ permission
• Identify how land use in the Parish is contributing to climate change
• To act as an informed body on the issue of climate change and biodiversity for the Parish
• Review the Parish Tree Policy put in place in 2019 and advise the Parish Council as to appropriate actions
• Provide guidance and information to residents on wildlife friendly gardening in the Parish
• Provide guidance and information on low carbon impact gardening in the Parish
• Review the grass cutting regime across the Parish to ensure wildlife habitats are protected and promoted
• Identify and appoint wildlife and tree guardians
• Identify areas in the Parish where wildlife habitats can be created
• Develop areas of land in the Parish to create wildlife habitats
• Develop strategies for long term wildlife habitat creation
• Establish links with other similar local groups across the county and nationally to ensure best practice
• Develop and support a group of local volunteers to assist with overall objectives
• Liaise with residents, private landowners, local businesses, South Petherton Parish Council and Somerset Council with regard to improving biodiversity and reducing the effects of climate change in the Parish
• Support South Petherton Parish Council in working towards a biodiversity action plan in accordance with section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006
• Organise biodiversity and climate change awareness events and other educational events in schools and with community groups in the Parish

• Meetings and reporting
• Progress updates and key findings to be documented and shared with stakeholders

• Resources and funding
• Apply for grants from external sources
• Raise funds from local events
• Donations from local residents

• Review and amendments
• Terms of reference and constitution to be reviewed annually and updated as necessary
• Adjustments to be made in response to evolving biodiversity and climate change issues

• Governance and implementation
• Regular reviews and updates will be conducted to ensure the effectiveness of strategies towards achieving its objectives
• Community engagements and awareness initiatives will be promoted to improve knowledge on aspects that can be implemented to assist with biodiversity and climate change

This document serves as a guiding framework for the South Petherton Tree and Wildlife Group in fulfilling its commitment to increasing biodiversity and reducing the impact of climate change across land in South Petherton Parish.

Emma Brooks
James Brooks
Rob Cotterill
Trish Harper
Kath Jones
Trevor Jones
Rosie Prins January 2026