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Humans of the Levels - a picture of the Levels, one story at a time

Somerset Wildlife Trust launches new digital community project that harnesses ‘human spirit’ and ‘sense of place’

‘Humans of the Levels’- is a new and exciting digital community project from Somerset Wildlife Trust, which aims to put the spotlight on the unique people and special communities that can be found across the Somerset Levels and Moors landscape. Through a combination of creative photography and personal storytelling, it explores and celebrates the deep relationship that exists between those that that live, work and visit this special place; the land itself and the wildlife living there.

It is hoped that in uncovering and telling the human stories behind this very special area the wider community will be inspired to become more involved in safeguarding the landscapes of the Levels and Moors for the future. They will be able to stand up for the special wildlife that can be found there in the face of the escalating impacts of climate change.

Derek Moore

Derek Moore

The Levels and Moors are an intricate managed landscape that has been developed over centuries from drainage and irrigation of land for agriculture, and to manage flood risk. Land once exploited for salt and dug for peat over the centuries has since been transformed, and now includes internationally renowned wetland nature reserves.

Somerset Wildlife Trust has been working in this area over the past 50 years, most notably the restoration work that has taken place in the Avalon Marshes area, and works with individuals, groups, communities and farmers in the area. It hopes that the Humans of The Levels will give greater voice to the people that are actually living and working in the Levels every day to better understand what binds them to this special area and why it deserves our greatest protection.

It hopes that the Humans of The Levels will give greater voice to the people that are actually living and working in the Levels every day to better understand what binds them to this special area and why it deserves our greatest protection.

Steve Mewes, Policy and Campaigns Manager for Somerset Wildlife Trusts says:

“I have never lived in another place where, as soon as you put a foot to the floor you feel an almost visceral, magnetic connection to the land. 

“Creating a digital home for this amazing ‘sense of place’ and harnessing the power and passion of these individuals, special characters and the communities they live in, is pivotal in terms of supporting Somerset Wildlife Trust’s conservation and wildlife advocacy work for the Levels and Moors area as it comes under pressure from climate change and development activity.

“What we need is for people to participate, get involved and tell us their stories. So, whether you are a farmer, cheese maker, birdwatcher, teacher, nature reserve volunteer, hedge cutter, landscape gardener, dog walker, student, politician, withy grower or cider maker – please get in touch and tell us your story.”