Our green initatives
As part of our commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism, we have implemented a number of green initiatives to help us meet our goals. Having achieved a 'Silver' accolade in the Green Tourism Awards, we hope these initiatives will help us go for gold.
Sustainability in the Garden
Pollinator-friendly flowers
We have planted many pollinator-friendly flowers to keep bees, butterflies and moths happy. These flowers are rich in pollen and nectar, which provide food for pollinators to thrive.
Bug hotels
Throughout the Strawberry Field garden, you'll find stacked logs that create an ideal habitat for insects. Our Steps to Craft group also contributed by building a bug hotel crafted from reclaimed wood and natural materials gathered from the garden, offering even more shelter for beneficial bugs.
Bat boxes
Strawberry Field is located within a designated bat conservation area. To protect these important nocturnal creatures, we switch off all lights after dusk. We've also installed bat boxes in the surrounding trees, offering safe roosting spots. By cultivating a garden that attracts insects, we help ensure a reliable food source for the local bat population.
Bird boxes
In addition to the many hidy-holes in our trees, we have also added nest boxes for birds. This provides a safe place for birds to nest and raise their chicks. In October, we clear out the nest boxes so they're ready for the next bird family to move in.
Pond
Our Steps to Craft team has built a container pond for our amphibian friends. Ponds are a great feeding ground for birds, hedgehogs and bats, and can provide homes for newts and frogs. The pond has been made using an old plastic tub that a member of staff had lying around.
Hedgehog Highways
We have many little critters passing through our garden and to make their journey easier we have added 'Hedgehog Highways' to our fences. Our surrounding fence has a gap beneath it, allowing hedgehogs and other small animals to pass through as they please.
Sustainability in the Imagine More Cafe
Reducing waste
We've made a number of changes to help us reduce food waste in the Imagine More cafe. Previously, all our meals came with a side salad that was often left. We have now made this side salad optional, so if you're unlikely to eat it, we won't plate it! We have also improved staff training, which has resulted in fewer mistakes and therefore less wastage.
Using local suppliers
From our cakes to our coffee, we use many local suppliers in our cafe. This enables us to reduce transportation costs while ensuring freshness and he's reduce our carbon footprint.
Growing food
We grow several herbs and vegetables in raised beds in our garden. We have grown potatoes, leeks, tomatoes, lettuces, pumpkins and more! This reduces the amount of plastic and packaging we use and keeps our vegetables organic.
Sustainability in the gift shop
Using local suppliers
You will find lots of products and items made by local suppliers in our shop. Our metal artworks are made locally using reclaimed metal and our handcrafted pens are made by a former trainee using wood from our garden.
No plastic bags
We do not offer plastic shopping bags in our gift shop. We encourage shoppers to bring their own bags or buy a Strawberry Field tote bag for just £1.
Reusing packaging
When shipping online orders, we will reuse packaging and bubble wrap where possible. We encourage you to do the same.
Sustainable energy usage
Solar Panels
In 2019, 54 Solar PV systems were installed on Strawberry Field's roof that convert light directly into electricity. In 2024, new and improved panels were installed that are expected to serve 32% of Strawberry Field's current electricity demand. You can read more about the our solar panels here.
What's next?
While we have made many positive changes, we're not done yet! We will be taking further steps to improve our sustainability at Strawberry Field.
- After the success of 'No Mow May', we are looking into planting a wildflower garden that will be allowed to grow long in the summer months. This is beneficial to many insects and small animals, and will look beautiful too.
- We are also investigating more eco-friendly cleaning products to reduce our use of harsh chemicals.
- We're improving signage on site to help our visitors identify our green initiatives
- In 2026, The Salvation Army plans to look into the carbon footprint of our website.
How can you help us?
There are many ways you can help us meet our sustainability goals.