Around 80 people attended Carhampton Climate Group's Woodlands, Wetlands and Wildlife event.

The group held a standing-room-only event on March 9, drawing in nature enthusiasts interested in looking at innovative nature recovery approaches in West Somerset.

Every area of the UK, including West Somerset, is required to develop a Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Taking a deeper dive into this imperative was Steve Drury of Somerset Council.

Mr Drury said: "The UK stands at 233rd out of 240 countries in terms of nature-depletion, with 1 in 6 UK species in danger of extinction."

He cited the evident local and national effects of climate change, such as temperature and rainfall extremes causing flooding and drought in West Somerset.

Biodiversity-boosting measures for building development, farm management, and even hedge- and verge-cutting were also on the discussion table.

Cllr Dixie Darch, Somerset Council’s lead for climate and environment, emphasised the need to shift perceptions of good land management and of natural beauty.

She said: "We are still learning to reframe our perception of good management and of natural beauty.

"Our cultural practice of neatness still strongly influences land management."

Somerset County Gazette: The group held a standing-room-only event on March 9

Ben Eardley, National Trust project manager for the Porlock Vale Riverlands project and the Holnicote Beaver project, shared insights on his endeavour to transform rivers from mere drainage channels to complete ecosystems responding to the local biodiversity.

Mr Eardley said: "Our aim is to move from rivers as drainage to rivers as habitat.

"We are putting water back in the landscape through ponds, scrapes and natural dams."

Charlotte Burke from the National Trust's Exmoor Coast project also provided virtual beaver tours to attendees to demonstrate the effect of the beavers on transforming a dry woodland into a thriving wetland.

The next event for Carhampton Climate Group is the Repair Café in Carhampton Village Hall on Saturday 4th May from 10am – 1pm.

For more information or advice on starting a local group, please contact climatecarhampton@gmail.com.