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.

Learn more

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.

News

Discussing Scaling Earth Resource Management at June Gathering

Discussing Scaling Earth Resource Management at June Gathering

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.

June 18, 2023
Contribute to Crucial Climate Adaptation Strategy

Contribute to Crucial Climate Adaptation Strategy

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.

May 31, 2023
What's Happened Since the SusSH Rivers Assembly?

What's Happened Since the SusSH Rivers Assembly?

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.

May 25, 2023

Groups

Buckfastleigh Action for Nature Group

Buckfastleigh Action for Nature Group

• Roadside Verge project- restoration of sp-rich habitat on selected verges and council owned green space • Buckfastleigh Nature Network Project (Lottery funded) - creating a network of people and green spaces managed for nature with underpinning carbon messaging • Trinity Church - Haven for Wildlife (Primarily a Wild flower meadow and swift box project)

5-20
Volunteers
Other
Project Cost
The Habitat Group

The Habitat Group

Producing and distributing the Gardening for Wildlife booklet and enabling other groups to print and distribute it. Reintroducing Water Voles to the River Gara. Widespread planting of Nottingham Catchfly plants to save the White Spot moth from extinction. Mapping wildlife friendly gardens/fields etc to create the People's National Park. Find out more on the website and by joining the Habitat Whatsapp and email groups.

20-100
Volunteers
Informal Network
Project Cost
Newton and Noss Parish Council Climate Change, Environmental and Biodiversity Committee

Newton and Noss Parish Council Climate Change, Environmental and Biodiversity Committee

Environmental enhancement to encourage/maintain biodiversity, tree planting, encouraging cycle use and carbon dioxide reduction. Find out more from the parish website.

5-20
Volunteers
Parish Council working group
Project Cost

Projects

Use Citizen Science to Record Wildlife

Use Citizen Science to Record Wildlife

Ugborough's citizen science project uses the iNaturalist app to record wildlife

20+
Volunteers
Free
Project Cost
Create a Wildlife Corridor Along a River

Create a Wildlife Corridor Along a River

Yealm Estuary Moor aims to improve the health & biodiversity of the River Yealm

Volunteers
Project Cost
Host Climate and Nature Event with Local Sustainability Groups

Host Climate and Nature Event with Local Sustainability Groups

A joint project led by SMASH with speakers, stalls and networking opportunities

5-20
Volunteers
<£5k
Project Cost