Everything you need to know to set up and run a community growing project.
Bringing together the experiences of community growing groups across the UK, The Grow Wild Guide helps you take the first steps to set up and run your own community growing project.
From setting up your project, to making a wildlife-friendly space, to telling the story of your project, the guide will inspire and encourage you to get growing with your community by sharing:
- The benefits of growing UK native species for biodiversity and people
- How to define your vision, find volunteers and partners, and raise funds for a community growing project – and get it up and running
- How to support wildlife, nurture people and make your project thrive
- Ways to motivate your team
- How to record your adventure and tell your group’s unique story
It’s encouraging to know that you’re part of a movement of people who want to help nature thrive, and with the support of Grow Wild we’ll be able to involve our community in doing just that.
Inspired by the experiences of 400+ community growing projects supported by Grow Wild.
The Grow Wild Guide presents the first-hand experiences and knowledge from these community groups, alongside tips from science and horticulture professionals working at Kew and beyond, to help your community create a growing space to truly benefit wildlife and people.
Growing for change
Taking action to support nature has never been more important. Climate change and biodiversity loss are causing plants and animals to die out at alarming rates, and people’s disconnect from nature is contributing to health and social challenges, including mental health issues. The good news is that community growing projects – even small initiatives in built-up areas – have the potential to help reverse these trends.
When you grow for biodiversity, you not only help to cultivate thriving habitats but also nurture social connectedness, creativity and wellbeing.
We hope that Grow Wild's network will inspire you to set up or expand your own community growing venture – and contribute to the wider movement to support biodiversity for all.
Too few of us fully understand why biodiversity is fundamental to our lives and how its degradation or loss affects us personally. We need to change that, so that people from all walks of life are motivated to protect nature. Kew’s Grow Wild programme has brought thousands of people together in communities across the UK to take positive action for biodiversity, and I hope that this guide will inspire many more to get involved and discover the benefits for themselves.
Peek inside the guide
A sample of pages taken from The Grow Wild Guide.
The Grow Wild Guide - chapters and topics
Explore the topics featured in the Grow Wild Guide
- Growing for change
- Choose native plants to help UK wildlife
- Why biodiversity is important for us all
- How growing projects help people
- Defining your vision
- Who will be involved?
- Getting to know your site
- Dream big, start small
- Deciding how to organise your group
- Funding your project
- Matching planting to your goals
- Meeting the needs of wildlife
- Growing food to nurture your community
- Making your site sustainable
- Giving volunteers ownership of the project
- Managing expectations and conflict
- Don’t forget leaders need support too
- Making your project accessible
- Invite people to join in activities
- Paving the way for future opportunities
- Why document your efforts?
- How to record and share your story
- Getting the media on board
- The benefits of reflecting on your project
- We all have a part to play
Apply now to join the Grow Wild Community Programme
