The city’s commitment to biodiversity is extensive and supported by rigorous wildlife monitoring to ensure targets are achieved. There are 20 wildflower meadows complemented by numerous wildflower-sponsored traffic islands providing valuable havens for wildlife, especially bees and butterflies.

There is also a focus on planting trees for long-term benefits and the city has gained Tree Cities of the World status.

Wrexham’s successful waste prevention programme is also impressive. The city is achieving a 64 per cent recycling rate thanks to initiatives such as an education centre, re-use shop, repair café and tool lending service.

Innovative sensors monitor when to water planters – a great way to conserve water.

The importance of health and wellbeing is evident here, Space2Grow is a community space that supports mental and physical health and wellbeing for residents of all ages. Truancy levels amongst teenage students visiting have reduced. As well as experiencing the joys of horticulture, young people can get hands-on in the mud kitchen and with construction projects. More than 600 schoolchildren attend outdoor learning here throughout the year.

The Victoria Garden, once a swimming pool, is now a sunken garden. The mixed cottage-style borders, box maze, chess board, statue of a swimmer and plenty of seating make this a tranquil space. With its wildlife-friendly pond and allotments for growing vegetables, fruit and herbs, Badshot Lea Community Garden is thriving. Patients who have been offered green prescribing are just some of those benefiting from this space.

The town’s dry bed garden is an example of how to show people what they can plant in their gardens to adapt to a changing climate. This collection of drought-tolerant and drought-resistant plants demonstrates how gardening in harmony with a changing climate can support the environment and enhance biodiversity.

This initiative has gone from strength to strength since launching in 2019. Forty different artists have been involved resulting in 70 striking artworks. Designs celebrate local landscapes, history and mythology, as well as playful patterns and street art culture. In 2024, three new floral-themed murals were created to honour Glastonbury in Bloom, achievements in the South West in Bloom competition and the group’s first-time entry into the UK finals.

Residents participate in clean-up events to get areas ready to be painted and have input into the design and implementation. Local Scout and Beaver groups help remove tags and any inappropriate graffiti and there are also events for children to learn how to do graffiti art. The trail is supported by sponsorship from 20 businesses, Mendip District Council and donations from local individuals.

The village of Milford in the Derwent Valley, Derbyshire is a small community of 930 residents. Blooming Milford comprises just 11 core members, however the tremendous support and volunteer ethos in the village belies its size. The group has been particularly successful in recruiting volunteers for specific projects, finding posting fliers into all 660 houses the most effective means of recruitment.

Volunteer working parties ranging from five to 25 people have helped create four starter allotments for young people and planted thousands of bulbs as part of The Big Milford Bulb Plant 2023. Volunteers also transformed three very overgrown allotments into an area of green space for schoolchildren (who previously only had a tarmac playground) and members of the community. With no vehicle access, every item was carried by hand up three flights of steps including 300 40-litre bags of bark chippings and a 1,000-litre water butt.