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

Communicating Climate and Nature through Community Events

Communicating Climate and Nature through Community Events

Our last Changemakers meeting focused on how we communicate climate and nature change through community events.

September 26, 2024
Kingsbridge Nature Festival Returns for its Second Year

Kingsbridge Nature Festival Returns for its Second Year

Kingsbridge Nature Festival in an event organised by Kingsbridge Climate Action to bring the local community together for nature.

June 11, 2024
Successful Second Water Vole Reintroduction into The River Gara

Successful Second Water Vole Reintroduction into The River Gara

The Habitat Group have just completed the second of four water vole releases into the River Gara.

June 11, 2024

Groups

Transition Town Totnes

Transition Town Totnes

Transition Streets - a community-focussed initiative supporting social cohesion, carbon reduction, and energy saving; Incredible Edible Totnes - supporting local and accessible food growing in public spaces; Totnes Climate Hub - a public space for creating community support and local responses to our global challenges; REconomy Project - a project inspiring economic regeneration locally; Time to Breathe - a meditative space for personal wellbeing support

20-100
Volunteers
Charity
Project Cost
PL21

PL21

We connect with like-minded individuals and organisations within the PL:21 area to collaborate on projects beneficial to the community, and our goals of addressing climate change, reducing fossil-fuel dependency, and increasing local economic robustness. Our key areas of interest are: Food; Energy; Transport; Community; Ecology and Economy. As the groups have evolved and expanded some have become separate while still working closely with PL:21.

20-100
Volunteers
Charity
Project Cost
Bigbury Net Zero

Bigbury Net Zero

Bigbury Net Zero is a community group promoting cooperation between neighbouring parishes in Aveton Gifford, Thurlestone, Ringmore, Kingston & Modbury in order to reduce our joint carbon footprint and rebuild nature between the River Avon and the River Erme.

20-100
Volunteers
Community Association
Project Cost

Projects

Increase Biodiversity by Creating a Wildflower Meadow

Increase Biodiversity by Creating a Wildflower Meadow

The Marsh Meadow project will convert rough grassland into a wildflower meadow

5-20
Volunteers
<£5k
Project Cost
Connect Communities to Take Practical Carbon Saving Action

Connect Communities to Take Practical Carbon Saving Action

Transition Streets is an award-winning project that brings neighbours together

Volunteers
Project Cost
Clean and Survey Your Local Beach

Clean and Survey Your Local Beach

Hope Cove and Soar Mill beach cleans and beach surveys with SMASH

Volunteers
Project Cost