Tunbridge Wells Community Nature Reserve

Can you offer a bit of space for nature where you live or work?

The Tunbridge Wells Community Nature Reserve is a local initiative encouraging everyone—residents, schools, businesses, and community groups—to create space for nature, tiny or big. Whether it’s a pond, a tree, a wildflower patch, or even a pot of pollinator-friendly plants, every contribution counts and makes a difference. These individual spaces, no matter how small, will collectively form one large, borough-wide nature reserve – supporting local biodiversity and wildlife. It’s a simple and impactful way to make Tunbridge Wells greener and more nature friendly. So get making your space and register it as part of the Community Nature Reserve to join a growing network of nature lovers – learn more below.

How do I take part?

Whether it is in your garden, patio, balcony, school, workspace – create a space for nature and register it as part of the Tunbridge Wells Community Nature Reserve using the form below. Your space can be any size and should provide shelter, food or resources for nature. Typical examples are below but you can register any nature space.

• Pond – ponds of all sizes will attract wildlife – you don’t have to dig a huge hole, even an old washing up bowl will do!
• New tree(s) – trees provide multiple nature and climate benefits – plant a tree or a few trees, or even a hedge, using native species that suit your space.
• Wildflower meadow – provide food and habitat for birds and insects – sow and grow a new wildflower area, or experiment by leaving a patch or your whole lawn to rewild itself!
• Pollinator patch – our pollinators really need your help – provide nectar and food for these beautiful beings by growing pollinator friendly plants in pots or beds.
• Wildlife home – create a little refuge for some of your non-human neighbours such as hedgehogs, birds and minibeasts.

Visit our “how to” guidance page for useful advice on creating any of the above and more.

 

Register your space:

To register your nature space as part of the TW Community Nature Reserve please complete the following form: https://forms.office.com/e/zUSD39bmsa

Remember to take photos or videos – we hope your spaces will inspire others to get involved too so we will be sharing these on our Facebook page (with your permission). And we will be keeping a record of the amount and types of space registered and providing regular progress updates on our website and Facebook page. We will not share any personal information and we will not be storing any personal information unless you have opted to be on the project mailing list.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions about the project or for advice by emailing cmp@khwp.org.uk

This project was inspired by the Felixstowe Community Nature Reserve.

What else can I do to help?

• Help us the spread the word about the project (logo below) – tell your neighbours, colleagues, school teachers, and share it on social media.
• Follow the project on Facebook.
• Attend one of the project events (keep an eye on facebook for details)
• Volunteer for nature in your community – you can volunteer with us, your local park, or local nature or climate organisation such as Friends of the Earth.
• Get involved with a citizen science project – there are a few national ones like the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch or you take part in a local project – visit our Wildlife Monitors page for details on KHWP and TWBC opportunities.
• Donate plants, seeds, compost or pots so people that may not be able to afford it can create a nature space.
• Enter your space into the Tunbridge Wells In Bloom competition Best Wildlife Garden or Pond categories – Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom – Competition