Food, Land & Water

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News

What are the ecological impacts of solar farms?

In order to meet its targets for de-carbonising energy production in the UK, recent governments have resorted to consenting large-scale solar PV installations on farmland in our countryside.

March 25, 2025

Home Composting Masterclass a huge success

On Saturday 15th March an enthusiastic group of 19 composting enthusiasts, both experienced and novice, from communities across South Hams joined Dr Compost, Nicky Scott, and SusSH compost mentor, Melissa Harvey at the Sustainable South Brent (SSB) community composting site, for an afternoon masterclass on home composting.

March 17, 2025

Managed hedge banks in Ashprington help to increase wildlife

In a few weeks SHDC’s “South Hams Tree, Woodland & Hedge Plan 2024 - 2029” will be published. This plan recognises that it is not only trees and woodland that are vital for mitigating climate change and biodiversity in our landscape but that our network of hedges have to be included as well.

March 11, 2025

Events

Planet Local Festival

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Hedges, Trees & Ponds - creating wildlife corridors

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Community Compost Gathering

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Resources

A Guide to Repurposing Brown Bins

In 2023, many brown wheelie bins in South Hams became redundant due to the garden waste collection by South Hams District Council (SHDC) becoming chargeable. We have worked with SHDC to explore the potential for repurposing, upcycling, and reusing the bins to save resources.

Community Composting in the South Hams

If you've been thinking of starting a community composting project in your area, this online guide is a great overview of everything you need to know to get started. From planning the project to sourcing volunteers and becoming a community business, this guide is a fantastic resource filled with exemplar projects and resources to get you off on the right foot.

Compost Workshop Materials

Compost Workshop information for Ben Bryant's workshops

Groups

Sustainable Harbourne Valley

Supporting nature-friendly gardens and households; talks/discussion programme; supporting management of churchyards & playing fields for nature; Fruit Corner (community fruit trees/wildflowers); micro tree nursery; seed/plant exchange stall; Sow Grow Show food growing project; Give & Take reuse & exchange day; engagement with local school; supporting river monitoring.

5-20

Community Association

Yealm Alliance

Community Renewable Energy, Public engagement, cooperation between parishes, nature conservation and biodiversity enhancement projects.

20-100

Parish Council working group

Transition Town Totnes

Transition Streets - a community-focussed initiative supporting social cohesion, carbon reduction, and energy saving; Incredible Edible Totnes - supporting local and accessible food growing in public spaces; Totnes Climate Hub - a public space for creating community support and local responses to our global challenges; REconomy Project - a project inspiring economic regeneration locally; Time to Breathe - a meditative space for personal wellbeing support

20-100

Charity