We celebrate the unique natural environment of the South Hams, and it’s important to protect, enhance and restore it now and for future generations. Despite the negative messages of nature in trouble, we find the good news and stories from individuals, groups and companies who all have nature at the heart of their work. We are here to share that, and to inspire and help you to start your own project or group.
To see some real changes we need to find a tipping point of just 1 in 4 people*, where nature becomes a part of everyone’s everyday lives. Much of this can happen from within our own communities, so it’s important we keep the subject of nature high on our agendas.
There are already some energetic groups out there in the South Hams, with inspirational projects taking place all year round. We’ve listed just a few of them. We know there are plenty more and if you’d like to add yours then fill in the form – it doesn’t take long!
Our field trips, news and blogs are there to inspire you, to take back to your groups and communities, to spread the word and start the cascading effect.
It may be that you or your group has a particular interest – say in holding a bat event. You can find out how to do that on our resources page, with plenty of other links to websites and documents if you wish to drill down into a particular subject.
We are trying to add information and inspiration as we go along and keep it relevant and up to date, and we need you to help us do that so please share your experiences, your knowledge or your project with us by contacting info@sussh.org. Or if you have a specific question you would like help with, contact our nature mentor Ruth Saunders ruth@sussh.org.
There are a number of larger charities who offer support and help to communities and individuals who would like to get nature back on track, either through practical help, forums or excellent websites. Some are already listed with us, but if you’ve found a particular charity helpful to you then please share it with us.
* The Devon Wildlife Trust believe that the tipping point is reached if as few as 1 in 4 people in Devon are actively engaged with nature.
June's SusSH Group Leaders' Meeting saw a great turnout of leaders from across the South Hams discussing how we can move forward with projects around sharing, repairing, reducing and reusing.
Input from your group is invited to help shape the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (DCIoS) Climate Adaptation Strategy. This strategy aims to help communities and organisations understand the risks associated with climate change and to explore ways to mitigate them.
The Sustainable South Hams Rivers Assembly this March was a fantastic opportunity for making new connections and sparking new projects. Find out a bit more about some of the outcomes from the Assembly in the two months since.
Wild Patch In Jubilee Meadow; Increasing Biodiversity in Jubilee Meadow; Community Orchard; Rewilding Grass Verges; Other projects under dscussion
Wilder Communities advice; Wilder Communities Award (coming soon); Wildlife Gardening Award
We began a perennial wildflower meadow project in our local park in 2018 and have since begun managing several road verges and an area of the churchyard for wildlife and wildflowers, working with SHDC. Our other activities include planting fruit and pollinator-friendly trees around the local area, running gardening schemes, holding summer competitions, planting spring bulbs and working with local community groups to host events and guided walks.
Ugborough's citizen science project uses the iNaturalist app to record wildlife
Yealm Estuary Moor aims to improve the health & biodiversity of the River Yealm
A joint project led by SMASH with speakers, stalls and networking opportunities