Wilder Kent Awards Winners 2024

The natural world isn't just something for us to enjoy; it sustains us. The decline of nature puts our very survival and prosperity under threat. It doesn't have to be like this; together we can create a Wilder Kent.

The Wilder Kent Awards is a scheme set up to recognise and reward the work schools, businesses and community groups are doing in helping us create a #WilderKent. By taking positive actions to restore nature, they are helping to create a more climate-resilient county and provide a home for wildlife. Their action benefits us locally and helps tackle the global environmental threats we all face.

2024 was the most successful year yet, with 87 groups taking positive action for nature across the county.

Key facts:

• 87 winning groups – 20 Commendation, 26 Bronze, 23 Silver, 18 Gold
• 16,000+ people recorded as having taken positive action for nature
• 120,000+ people recorded as having benefited from the various projects
• 8.9/10 – average score when asked “How connected to nature did this project make you feel?”

Schools, Nurseries, Colleges and Universities

At Kent Wildlife Trust, our mission is to increase wildlife abundance and climate resilience across the county. To do this, we recognise that we also need to tackle peoples disconnect to nature and I believe passionately that this must start early. By capturing the imagination of young people, we can foster the next generation of environmental stewards. 

To this end, the work we do with schools, nurseries, colleges and universities as part of the Wilder Kent Awards is invaluable. Through the Wilder Kent Awards, we have been able to recognise and reward the hard work of children and young people across the county. School councils, eco teams, gardening clubs and student unions have all worked hard to take action for nature, all whilst influencing their peers and improving their communities locally. 

Commendations ⭐

Harrietsham Church of England Primary School; Barton Court Grammar School; Horsted School; Barming Primary School (Gardening Club); Radnor House Sevenoaks; Christ Church Junior School; Wye School; The Lenham School; The Rosewood School; EKC Folkestone College; Ursuline College; Foreland Fields School; Westlands School; Water Meadows Primary School; Fairview Community Primary School.

Bronze 🥉

Long Mead Primary School; Westmeads Community Infant School; St George's Childcare; Chattenden Primary School; Shoreham Village School; Horton Kirby CE Primary School
St John's CE Primary School, Sevenoaks; Lyminge Primary School; Bobbing Village School; St Mary's CofE Primary School and Nursery; The Malling School; Pennies Forest School; Tonbridge School; Horizon Gardeners - Horizon Primary Academy; Smarden Primary & Nursery School; Bromstone Primary School; Westerham Day Nursery; Newingate School.

Silver 🥈

Lower Halstow School; Iwade Community Primary School; Inspire Academy Movement Trust, Seal C of E Primary School; Anthony Roper Primary School; Crook Log Primary School; Ramsgate Holy Trinity C.E (Aided) Primary School; ALP Schools The Lodge; Wouldham All Saints Primary; ALP Sittingbourne; High Halden CEP School; Canterbury Christ Church University; Newington CEP School; Rochester Independent College; Junior King's School Canterbury; St Nicholas At Wade C of E Primary School.

Gold 🥇

Holy Trinity and St John's CEP Woodland School; Brabourne CEP Primary; The Sustainability Team at University of Kent; Oaklands School; Blean Primary School; EKC Group, Broadstairs College; Heath Farm School; Parkside Community Foundation Primary School; Wellesley Haddon Dene; Pennies Newnham Court; Pennies Hockers Lane.
 

Community Groups

We’re incredibly proud to work with a wide range of community groups across the county, all of whom are working hard to create wilder spaces for their communities. This fantastic work is often undertaken by teams of volunteers, on limited budgets, come rain or shine. These remarkable groups have dedicated countless hours to protecting our natural environment, restoring habitats, and supporting biodiversity. Through their unwavering commitment and innovative projects, they have not only preserved the beauty and vitality of our local ecosystems but also inspired others in our communities to do the same. The Wilder Kent Awards is a chance to celebrate their passion and dedication and have their hard work recognised. The groups in this category have all made a tangible difference to Kent’s natural heritage and are helping us to create a Wilder Kent.

Commendations ⭐

8th Folkestone Guides; Wilderness to Wonderland; First Ditton Scouts (Lion Cubs); Medway Foodbank

Bronze 🥉

Holborough Hedgehogs; No Walls Gardens CIC; Healthy Living Centre Dartford - Cedar Road Community Garden; Rainham Eco Hub; 8th Deal (Wingham) Scout Group; Sunken Garden Society

Silver 🥈

Bearsted CAN; GRASS Cliftonville CIC; Friends of Milton Creek Country Park Trust; Lynsted Community Kitchen Garden; Friends of Victoria Park; Tredegar Biodiversity Allotments ; Shorne Wildlife Community Group

Gold 🥇

Dandelion Time; Allington Millennium Green Trust; Communigrow; Spadework; Friends of Broomhill

Villages, Towns, and Cities

At Kent Wildlife Trust, we are incredibly proud to support the villages, towns, and cities across the county that are dedicated to creating wilder spaces and fostering a healthier environment for their residents. These communities, with the collective efforts of local councils, organizations, and residents, are transforming their urban and rural areas to protect our natural landscapes, restore habitats, and support biodiversity. Through innovative green initiatives, sustainable urban planning, and community-driven projects, these places are setting a benchmark for environmental stewardship. The Wilder Kent Awards offers us an opportunity to celebrate their commitment and transformative efforts.

⭐ Commendation: Hextable Parish Council

🥉 Bronze: Eynsford Green Team

🥇 Gold: Tenterden Town Council

Businesses

2024 was the pilot year for our businesses category and we’re incredibly proud to already be working with some amazing businesses who share our vision for a Wilder Kent. These forward-thinking companies are investing their resources, expertise, and passion to protect our natural landscapes, restore habitats, and support biodiversity. Whether through innovative sustainability initiatives, green practices, or collaborations with their local communities, these businesses are leading the way in environmental stewardship. The businesses recognised in this category are already making significant contributions to Kent’s biodiversity and climate resilience and, moving forward, businesses such as the winners listed below will become pivotal in our mission to create a Wilder Kent.

🥉 Bronze: Amazing Animal Encounters

🥈 Silver: The Fenn Bell Conservation Project

🥇 Gold: Valconia