About us

What we do

What is Grow Wild?

Grow Wild is the national outreach learning initiative of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Kew is a world leader in science and education. Its vision is a world where plants and fungi are understood, valued and conserved – because all our lives depend on them.

Grow Wild is integral to Kew’s strategic priorities as it engages new audiences outside of Kew’s two botanic gardens. We’re part of Kew’s Learning and Participation team. This team engages audiences with Kew’s science collections and horticulture through formal and informal learning programmes and community engagement.

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Purple and yellow wildflowers growing

 

Our supporters

Grow Wild is supported by the National Lottery Community Fund and through private donors and corporate sponsors. We deliver scale, impact and profile for businesses and charitable funders. Please get in touch to discuss how our proven and flexible models can meet your objectives.

We’re also supported by our lively partnership network. This includes charities, youth groups, local authorities, education groups, health providers, social housing landlords, businesses, and central government, plus the UK's social change broadcaster, Together TV. Please get in touch via social media or the email address at the bottom of this page to discuss mutual benefits and promotions.

Grow Wild's Impact

Community

We bring communities together

Growth

We help people, plants and fungi to grow

Nature

We help people connect to nature

Reach

We reach thousands of communities through our work

Where does Grow Wild focus?

Grow Wild activities inspire people to grow together, learn about nature and give back through volunteering, all of which improve wellbeing and transform urban spaces.

Our target audiences are children, young people and adults, especially those unengaged with nature and living in urban and disadvantaged areas.

We focus on UK native plants – especially wildflowers because their species are declining due to habitat loss. Wildflowers are also perfect for introducing people who haven’t sown seeds before to the joys of growing, pollinators and the vibrancy of nature.

Grow Wild also focuses on UK fungi because they’re vital to biodiversity but are often underappreciated. Grow Wild is raising the understanding of and profile of fungi as a fundamental part of the natural world we need to cherish and protect.

Without the UK’s plants and fungi, there would be less colour in our lives and less food and shelter for bees and other wildlife. Grow Wild creates opportunities for people to discover the importance of native species in their own lives, while also building community connections and enhancing wellbeing.

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Planting seedlings in a container

 

How can I take positive actions?

For individuals and groups, opportunities are announced on the Grow Wild website.

Please sign up to our e-newsletter and look out for posts on our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels. You may also hear from us directly or through one of our wonderful partner organisations.

Discover Grow Wild activities and events running online and near you across the UK. Our activities include wildflower seed kits, youth-led creative projects, community-led projects, grow-your-own fungus labs, networking and training events, and digital engagement.

Have ideas, or want to get in touch?

Please contact us at hellogrowwild@kew.org with ways for Grow Wild to engage new audiences, especially those with less access to and interest in nature.

Stay in touch

We're passionate about UK native plants and fungi, and how they can help people grow and learn together. Sign up to find out more!