Local project makes nature accessible for Watford residents

A project in Watford is helping to make nature accessible for local residents and improve their wellbeing.

Led by conservation charity, Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT), Wilder Watford aims to bring communities from across the borough together, by encouraging them to challenge their right of access to nature and green spaces.

The charity hopes the three-year initiative will help more people reconnect with nature. As part of Wilder Watford, HMWT are working with communities to remove barriers and create green spaces everyone can enjoy. 

Amy Trotter, Wilder Community Officer, for the Wilder Watford Project, said: “Studies show there is social inequality in access to nature. People with low incomes are less likely to be able to access nature.

“Accessing green and blue spaces is linked to various health benefits including reduced stress, increased physical health and improved mental and cognitive health. Should this not be accessible to everyone? Should we not be pulling together to make this a reality? I wholeheartedly believe we should.”

 Amy Trotter, Wilder Community Officer at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust is leading the charge for a Wilder Watford (Credit: Amy Trotter)

She continued: “Getting out into nature, for me personally, provides me with the opportunity to switch off, breathe and gain some mental clarity. Life can feel very busy and sometimes overwhelming.

“Having a safe space to walk and enjoy nature is a privilege I don’t take for granted. Knowing that many don’t have this access fuels my commitment to expanding these opportunities to communities that need them most.”

According to a report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Outdoor Recreation and Access, around 20 million people in England do not live within 15 minutes of an accessible green or blue space.

Published by MPs in September, the report recommended that access to nature should be increased. This included making sure under-represented community organisations are adequately funded, “so they can continue to support their community groups” in gaining access to “green and blue spaces”.

Following the previous success of the Nextdoor Nature project which ended last year, HMWT secured funding from the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) and Swire Charitable Trust to launch Wilder Watford.

The charity believes their newest initiative will help build strong community relationships and deliver a long-term, sustainable legacy of improved wellbeing for people living in Watford.

Over the last few months, Amy has spoken to local residents in order to find out what nature means to them. This summer she attended Herts Pride in Cassiobury Park, and supported the Garston Station Community Garden.

Students bug hunting at Garston Station Bug ID Workshop (Credit: Amy Trotter)

Amy also brought Watford’s carers together for a nature walk, and has worked with students from West Herts College.

Next year she will begin running listening cafes – where residents can share their views on how green spaces should be improved. The informal events will be held throughout Watford in January and February 2026.

Anyone interested in coming along to a listening cafe to learn more, or to seek advice and support for a wild project, can get in touch with Amy at: wildersupport@hmwt.org