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.
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.
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.
Tipping points are moments when small changes lead to big, sometimes irreversible changes in a system.
Plastic pollution recovery (Till the Coast is Clear), nature regeneration (Force4Nature) Community engagement & education (The Dolphin Project)
Community talks, education and engagement with groups who can deliver tangible benefits. Trees are coming, rainwater butts are coming, a talk from the Seal project is happening soon and lots more in the pipeline.
Nature Recovery / Nature Conservation Training (young adults).
How Tallet Meadow Farm turned pasture land into productive orchards.
Dittiscombe Rewilding offers a great example of how land can be transformed
The Gara Water Vole Reintroduction Project is an exciting reintroduction project