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.
Our field trip to visit Brimridge's fifty acres of grassland in the process of being rewilded offered some great insights into wildflower meadow creation, building biodiversity and conservation grazing.
Sustainable South Hams is calling Group Leaders in our communities, businesses, and parish councils to join us at the Sustainable South Hams Assembly at Kingsbridge Community College on Saturday 8th October 2022.
Mentor Eva Stephens introduces our upcoming Community Compost Gathering, her warm-up session at Sustainable South Hams Assembly and the composting support offered by South Hams District Council.
Some of our work includes the UK's First River Charter for the Dart at Dartington and devondoughnut.org (based on the priciples of Doughnut Economics)
Moor Trees grows native broadleaved trees in two South Hams nurseries from seed collected locally by its volunteers for planting in South Devon especially Dartmoor National Park. We campaign for a more nature-rich Dartmoor with temperate rainforest filling its valleys and help organisations elsewhere to copy our model.
Biodynamic Farming, Wellbeing Services for children and families at the edge of potential, Permaculture Design Services for farms and estates in transition to regenerative practices, Education of Regenerative Farmers
Ugborough's citizen science project uses the iNaturalist app to record wildlife
Devon Wildlife Trust offers awards to gardens that support wildlife
Sturtlebury Woods and Ponds have been developed to bring people closer to nature