NATURE Minister Mary Creagh visited West Somerset to open a project bringing children ‘closer to nature’.

The opening of Viper Woods Cabin, near Stogumber, was also attended by West Somerset MP Rachel Gilmour and Somerset Council chairman Cllr Mike Best.

Ms Creagh unveiled a plaque marking the cabin as a place ‘for conservation and the community’ in Viper Woods, a 31.5-acre woodland bought in 2021 by Portishead-based Viper Innovations for carbon sequestration.

The Minister met local primary school children and learned about Viper Woods and its benefits for education and the environment.

Pupils created a map of the woodland, naming different parts after their experiences in the ‘forest classroom’.

Nature Minister Mary Creagh and Viper Innovations managing director Edward Davies at the opening of Viper Woods Cabin, near Syogumber.
Nature Minister Mary Creagh and Viper Innovations managing director Edward Davies at the opening of Viper Woods Cabin, near Stogumber. ( )

Ms Creagh said: “The Viper Woods initiative is a great example of the benefits the Government’s land management schemes and forest schools bring to local children.

“Every child deserves the best start in life, including access to nature, and it was a joy to meet local children and see their enthusiasm about everything from planting saplings to identifying birds.

“They are the next generation of nature protectors and will help ensure our trees and forests are safeguarded for generations to come.”

Ms Creagh praised the work of Viper Innovations to manage Viper Woods and provide public access for local community education, and admired the company for its ‘considered approach, progress to date, and plans for the site’.

The new cabin will be used as a workshop to support ongoing woodland and pasture management activities, while the broader initiative has already had a positive impact on community education.

Stogumber and Crowcombe Primary School teacher and forest school leader Josh Wedderkopp said the project would benefit environmental education and help to achieve a net zero future.

Viper Woods Cabin, which has been opened in Viper Woods, near Stogumber.
Viper Woods Cabin, which has been opened in Viper Woods, near Stogumber. ( )

Mr Wedderkopp said: “On visits to Viper Woods our pupils have been able to learn about everything from planting saplings to identifying birds.

“Getting into nature has been a revelation for them.

“They are more aware of the environment and why it needs to be preserved.

“As the next generation of sustainability leaders, we cannot underestimate how valuable this awareness is.

“Of course, sustainability is not something we can achieve alone, it is a team effort and Viper Innovations has shown real leadership in this regard.”

Viper Innovations managing director Edward Davies said: “I am humbled by what this initiative has achieved so far, both for the business and for our local community and schools.

“Credit must go to our staff volunteers and the community for embracing the rather daunting task of managing the woodland.”

Mr Davies said the project had turned from an effort to reduce emissions and invest in local environment and community into a core aspect of corporate social responsibility strategy.

He said: “We wanted to invest in planting new trees while managing an existing woodland that is already absorbing carbon and has a diverse ecology, giving us something to build on and improve.

“We also want to support other SMEs to embark on similar carbon-reducing initiatives, and hope this will motivate and empower them to drive collective action toward net zero.”