The projects that have been awarded money from the Mendip Climate and Ecological Emergency Fund, have now been announced.

Projects selected include, installing solar panels on a farm, establishing hedgerows, retrofitting a community hub and installing bat, bird and insect boxes, to name a few.

A full list of successful eco projects can be found on Mendip's website here, www.mendip.gov.uk/ccf.

Mendip District Council allocated £50k to aid organisations with project ideas that sought to contribute to eco-friendly initiatives. Fishers Hill Volunteer Gardening Group was one such organisation who successfully secured a £2k grant, and will use the funds to plant a new hedgerow to help create a natural barrier between Fishers Hill Park and a busy road. Spokesperson, Christine Prior, said: "The group will be planting native plants, with the emphasis on early pollinators to encourage wildlife and help bio-diversity, and all plants will be bought locally. "We are delighted to be given this chance to make a real difference to users of the park, which is on a busy road, and will benefit greatly from a living barrier from the noise and pollution." The Food Forest Project also secured £2k from the funds, and will use it to plant a new food forest near Evercreech. Founder, Tristen Faith said: "The Food Forest Project was set up in 2018 to help solve intersectional issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, food poverty, mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, and to give local people free access to open natural spaces. "The Mendip Climate and Ecological Emergency fund has helped us set up more open, food producing spaces in the Mendip area. To date, we have managed to successfully plant over 4000 native and heritage tree species." Cllr Tom Ronan, Portfolio Holder for Strategic Policy and Climate Change, said: "This fund sought to reduce Mendip's carbon footprint, improve ecology and facilitate community collaboration. The selected projects are an integral part of bringing the district closer to these climate change goals. "I really hope the grants help, but the hard work of the people and groups implementing these creative and resourceful projects will be the driving force to help ensure communities in Mendip have a brighter future, and I look forward to hearing how the funding and their efforts, have made a positive impact."