From planting for pollinators and creating dead hedges to organising wildlife walks and designing urban nature trails, Avon Wildlife Trust's Wildlife Champions have spent the past year making a difference for both people and nature across the region.

The year-long Wildlife Champions programme equips local people with the training, mentoring and practical resources they need to turn ideas for nature into action in their communities.

As the 2025/26 Wildlife Champions celebrate the end of an inspiring year, we're delighted to welcome a new cohort of 20 Champions ready to build on that momentum. Together, our three cohorts now form a network of 53 Wildlife Champions working across 29 postcodes, bringing us ever closer to our goal of having at least one Champion in every Avon postcode by 2030.

Over the past twelve months, Champions have transformed ideas into reality. Projects that began as conversions have grown into thriving community initiatives, each shaped by the passions of the individual Champion and the needs of their local area.

All the Champions have shown incredible resilience, dedication and generosity. It’s not easy to start and run these community projects alongside work and family life, but these guys are doing it. Overcoming the inevitable hurdles and inspiring others along the way.

For the Avon Wildlife Trust team, one of the greatest rewards has been watching a genuine community form within the programme. It’s been a joy to see Champions volunteering at each other's events, sharing resources, praising wildlife sightings and building lasting friendships. Between workshops, the programme's WhatsApp group has become a lively space where questions are answered, challenges shared and successes celebrated, creating a network of support that extends far beyond the formal programme.

"The Wildlife Champions programme has given me so much in terms of practical resources, like field cameras and guides; support from the mentors has been priceless; ideas and inspiration to develop my project for nature from a vague idea to connecting with others in my community and having clear goals to improve and look after the wildlife in my area."  - Susy, BS32 Wildlife Champion

The impact has reached well beyond the Champions themselves. Through community events, habitat creation and opportunities to experience nature together, local people have discovered new green spaces, learnt new skills and built meaningful connections. For some people new to Bristol, Wildlife Champion events have even provided their first sense of community in the city.

Projects have been wonderfully varied, from community bulb planting, bioblitzes and pond-dipping sessions to clearing riverside fly tipping, creating wildlife habitats and inspiring neighbours through workshops, walks and even street parties. While every project has taken a different form, they all share the same ambition: helping people connect with nature where they live and empowering communities to take action for wildlife.

"The Wildlife Champions programme has helped me break through a bit of a mental block I'd been having about whether it was possible to make a difference... It's helped turn initial momentum into a tangible commitment, one which will extend far beyond the end of the Wildlife Champion cohort." Emily, BS6 Wildlife Champion

Building on this success, the new cohort will be launching projects that support hedgehogs, moths and ponds, while using gardening, photography and art to inspire people to care for local wildlife. This year we’ll place an even greater emphasis on helping Champions learn from and connect to one another through project sharing and quarterly social gatherings.

As one group of Champions celebrates everything they have achieved and another begins its journey, the Wildlife Champions programme continues to show that lasting change starts with local people. Every wildlife-friendly garden, every plant swap and every new connection made brings us one step closer to healthier, greener neighbourhoods where both people and wildlife can thrive.

The Wildlife Champions programme is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund thanks to National Lottery players.