PRESS RELEASE: UK’s Minister for Nature celebrates Viper Innovations’ CSR success story at Viper Woods Cabin opening ceremony
April 14, 2025
The UK’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Nature), Mary Creagh, attended Portishead-headquartered Viper Innovations’ Viper Woods cabin opening ceremony in Stogumber, Somerset, on Tuesday 8th April in a show of support and recognition for what the company has achieved for the environment and for bringing local children closer to nature. The Minister was also joined by significant local figures Tiverton and Minehead MP, Rachel Gilmour, and Somerset Council Chair of Authority, Mike Best.
Creagh, who unveiled a plaque marking the cabin as a place ‘for conservation and the community’, delivered a speech recognising the work Viper Innovations has done to manage Viper Woods and provide public access for local community education, while expressing admiration for the company’s considered approach, progress to date and plans for the site.
During the visit, Creagh met local primary school children and learned more about the Viper Woods initiative and its benefits to education and the environment. The pupils created a map of the woodlands, naming different parts after their experiences in the ‘forest classroom’.
Defra Nature Minister Mary Creagh commented: ”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.”
Viper Innovations’ Managing Director, Edward Davies, expressed gratitude for Creagh’s attendance: “We thank Mary for joining us on such a special day. I’m humbled by what this initiative has achieved so far, both for the business and for our local community and schools. In 2020, the company decided to buy the 31.5 acres of land that is now known as Viper Woods on behalf of employees and the business. Credit must go to our staff volunteers and the community for embracing the rather daunting task of managing the woodland.”
While the new cabin will be used as a workshop to support ongoing woodland and pasture management activities, the broader initiative has already had a positive impact on local community education. Josh Wedderkopp, a forest school leader and teacher at the local Stogumber and Crowcombe primary schools who attended the opening ceremony, recognised the benefits of these types of initiatives to environmental education and achieving a net zero future.
“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 can’t underestimate how valuable this awareness is. Of course, sustainability isn’t something we can achieve alone – it’s a team effort, and Viper Innovations has shown real leadership in this regard.”
For Viper Innovations, what started out as an effort to reduce emissions and invest in the local environment and community has turned into a core aspect of CSR strategy, driving a range of benefits for the business, from achieving 10/10 CSR scores during the vendor tendering process to greater employer engagement.
“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,” continued Davies. “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 towards net zero.”
To achieve net zero, it is critical that government policy, led by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), businesses of all sizes and individuals all play a role. SMEs can support these efforts by launching initiatives like Viper Woods and working alongside local community members, schools and environmental agencies, such as the Forestry Commission.
Davies concluded: “SMEs have many options when considering the role they want to play on the journey to net zero. Viper Innovations is ready to share what the business has learned since launching the Viper Woods initiative with SMEs to help them overcome barriers, prioritise sustainable action, and reduce their climate impacts.”
More Photos from the Viper Woods Cabin Opening
