Wildlife Champions

The cornerstone of #Team Wilder for Avon

We are creating a network of Wildlife Champions across the Avon region (Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset), who will be the cornerstone of our Team Wilder movement, which is based on community-led action for nature through peer-led advice and training, encouraging people to share resources and inspire one another to create more space for wildlife.

An initial network of 12 Wildlife Champions is co-designing work with their local communities to establish alongside residents what they need to create more space for nature and improve biodiversity in their area and then tailor training and resources to help the community achieve their goals.

We are excited to see local people stepping forward to give nature a voice and make a real and lasting difference for nature where they live.

This project has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players at The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Become a Wildlife Champion

Wildlife Champion journey

Are you passionate about transforming places for the benefit of wildlife and people? Can you inspire others to get involved and act for nature? The exciting Wildlife Champion role could be for you…

As a Wildlife Champion, you will be an ambassador for nature within your own community. You will play a leading role in engaging, inspiring, and coordinating others to take meaningful, positive action for wildlife.

Get involved

Join our Wildlife Champions online check-in on April 25th, 6-7pm

Meet the team

Our volunteer Wildlife Champions are supported by dedicated members of staff at Avon Wildlife Trust.

Emma Fennel Hodson - Wildlife Champions Programme Assistant

I work with the wonderful cohort of Wildlife Champions - people from all across Avon who are passionate about taking action for nature and inspiring their local community to do the same.

I help support, empower, and facilitate training for the Champions so that they feel confident bringing their nature-based ideas to life. I'm inspired and motivated every day by all the incredible people taking action for nature at a local scale in their back gardens, parks, or urban green spaces.

Amie Cook - Team Wilder Community Ecologist

I’m here to provide free ecological advice through the Team Wilder Ecological Advisory Service (TWEAS) to support the creation, enhancement and management of small-scale wildlife habitats and/or habitat features within your community, land or garden.

TWEAS aims to support individuals and communities in all areas within Avon who want to take action for nature.

Irene Correia - People and Wildlife Manager

My role involves managing the Wild Champions project on a day-to-day basis, supporting the team, evaluating the project's development and helping establish a network of Wildlife Champions across Avon.

I’m excited about TWEAS and our Wildlife Champions programme supporting people’s connection to nature, upskilling, and growing their confidence to drive community-led action for nature where they live.

Team Wilder Podcast

Welcome to Avon Wildlife Trust's Team Wilder Podcast!

Episode 1 - shines a light on the Team Wilder movement and the importance of celebrating and noticing nature in our day to day lives.

Episode 2 - talking about the Wildlife Champions Programme, what a Wildlife Champion is, what the programme offers and how it's helping to mobilize action for nature across the Avon region.

Team Wilder Ecological Advisory Service - TWEAS

Free ecological advice

Team Wilder Ecological Advisory Service (TWEAS) is part of the Wildlife Champion programme and provides free ecological advice to communities and individuals to support them in creating and enhancing habitats and helping our wildlife thrive in Avon.

Team Wilder Community Ecologist Amie can support and advise you via video calls and site visits, as well as mapping and coordinating activities to ensure maximum impact for wildlife and connectivity between green spaces.

Wildlife Champions Community

Read more about what our Wildlife Champions team have been up to.

If there is a question you would like to ask or you would like to share what you have been up to, please get in touch at emma.fennellhodson@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk