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

Home Composting Masterclass a huge success

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

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
What are positive tipping points?

What are positive tipping points?

Tipping points are moments when small changes lead to big, sometimes irreversible changes in a system.

March 5, 2025

Groups

South Devon National Landscape

South Devon National Landscape

Engaging residents and visitors to conserve, enhance, and and value the South Devon National Landscape. Projects include Farming in Protected Landscapes, Access for All, biodiversity projects in the estuaries, coast, and landscape including Life on the Edge - restoring coastal species-rich grasslands for endangered invertebrates.

20-100
Volunteers
Other
Project Cost
Bioregional Learning Centre

Bioregional Learning Centre

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)

Less than 5
Volunteers
CIC
Project Cost
Moor Trees

Moor Trees

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.

20-100
Volunteers
Charity
Project Cost

Projects

Create Community Orchards and Plant Landmark Trees

Create Community Orchards and Plant Landmark Trees

DWT's Saving Devon's Treescapes offers a full free support package

Volunteers
Project Cost
Promote Your Wildlife-Friendly Spaces with Awards

Promote Your Wildlife-Friendly Spaces with Awards

Devon Wildlife Trust offers awards to gardens that support wildlife

Volunteers
Project Cost
Living Churchyards: Protect Wildlife in Your Local Churchyard

Living Churchyards: Protect Wildlife in Your Local Churchyard

Devon Living Churchyards Project encourages churches to support wildlife

20+
Volunteers
£50k +
Project Cost