18/06/2026
Over the last few days, a short reel I made about wild verges has reached nearly 10,000 people. Alongside many positive and supportive comments, it has also attracted criticism, with some people describing the verges as "disgusting", saying they should all be cut down, suggesting I should "go and live in a forest", and a few making personal remarks about me.
I wanted to take a moment to respond.
Firstly, I completely understand that not everyone will share my views. The appearance of our villages, parks, roadsides and public spaces is something people care deeply about.
For many generations, we have been taught that a well-maintained landscape is neat, tidy and closely managed. It is therefore understandable that some people see long grass and wildflowers and interpret them as neglect.
However, what I and many others are trying to highlight is that these spaces are often far more than just long grass. Wild verges, hedgerows, banks and field margins provide food and shelter for pollinators, birds, small mammals and countless other species. They form vital wildlife corridors that help connect habitats across the landscape.
A common response has been, "Cornwall is already countryside. Wildlife doesn't need our villages and towns."
The reality is that wildlife does not recognise the boundaries between town and countryside. Bees, butterflies, hedgehogs, birds and countless other species move through the entire landscape. The spaces where people live are often some of the most important places for helping nature thrive and for helping people maintain a connection with the natural world.
Perhaps more importantly, this conversation isn't just about wildlife.
It's about how we relate to the places we live.
My work through Wild Edge, Millbrook Watch and other community projects has always been about helping people notice the incredible nature that exists right on their doorstep. It's about encouraging curiosity, connection and understanding. It's about helping children, families and older generations rediscover the wonder of the natural world around them.
I have never expected everyone to agree with me. Healthy discussion is important. Different viewpoints are important. But I believe we can have those conversations respectfully and constructively.
As part of the ongoing development and evaluation of my community engagement work, all feedback and comments relating to this discussion have been noted and considered. Comments that were unrelated to the topic, contained personal insults, or were disrespectful towards individuals have been recorded for project evaluation purposes and have since been removed from the platform in order to maintain a respectful space for constructive discussion.
I will continue to approach this work calmly, professionally, positively and passionately.
I am proud to live in Cornwall. I am proud of our communities. I am proud of our incredible wildlife and landscapes. And I genuinely believe that we can care for both people and nature at the same time.
Last year, I received a letter from David Attenborough in which he expressed his hope that the work of people engaging communities with nature would continue to help change public opinion over time.
That change does not happen overnight.
It happens through conversations. Through education. Through storytelling. Through children discovering a butterfly for the first time. Through communities learning more about the places they call home.
Whether you agree with me or not, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to watch, comment and engage with the discussion. If nothing else, it shows that people care deeply about Cornwall and the future of the places we share.
And that's a conversation worth having.
Vix Ryder
Wild Edge 🌿🦋🌾
