OUR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT​

 

​The Museum recognises that its activities may have the potential for both positive and negative impacts upon the local environment.

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The Museum will seek to improve its approach to understanding and responding to environmental impacts as and when they may become apparent. Where practicable, it aims to contribute to sustainable development and carbon reduction targets.

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The positive environmental sustainability aspects of research, teaching and learning are and will be promoted (for example in connection with the Anglo-Saxon and Medieval herb and fruit garden where no pesticides are used, and in the main Museum galleries where LED lighting is the norm).

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The Museum commits itself to:

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• Contribute to initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint;

• Monitor and manage its energy use for efficiency and energy conservation;

• Monitor and manage its water consumption;

• Support local initiatives to reduce, reuse and recycle materials;

• Avoid or limit wherever practical the use of any substances or materials which are, or could be, environmentally damaging;

• Work with local partners in circumstances where environmental projects can be assisted.

 

Examples of our policy in action include:

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The Abbey Garden has been recognised as a Wildlife Friendly Space by Dorset Wildlife Trust since May 2024. The gardens are continually enhanced to support a variety of wildlife and actively recognised by Dorset Wildlife Trust, featuring the Abbey Garden on their website page for Wildlife-friendly Space Awards:

 

https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/gardenscheme

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We host a series of free Herb Walk and Talk evenings and regular Plant Wisdom Workshops with local medical herbalist and Abbey garden volunteer team leader, Julie Wood.

Educational information is on display for visitors about our herbal beds and our approach to managing the gardens sustainably.

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Our gardens were recognised with a Certificate of Excellence for Sustainability from South and South East in Bloom in 2024.

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We use local suppliers wherever possible for goods sold in the Abbey shop.