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

Learning from an Exemplar Project: Yealm Estuary to Moor

Learning from an Exemplar Project: Yealm Estuary to Moor

On June 20th, several group leaders from rivers projects on the Erme, Avon and Dart met three leading members of Yealm Estuary to Moor to learn and gain inspiration. Find out more in our blog post from Rachael Tily.

June 27, 2023
Planning for a Nature-Friendly Future at the Devon Local Nature Partnership Conference

Planning for a Nature-Friendly Future at the Devon Local Nature Partnership Conference

The 2023 Devon Local Nature Partnership (LNP) Conference centred around identifying priorities and actions for the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).With around 200 attendees, the LNP conference was a wonderful opportunity for those working across the spectrum of environmental organisations in Devon to connect, collaborate and develop ideas.

June 21, 2023
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

Groups

Greener Ugborough Parish (G-UP)

Greener Ugborough Parish (G-UP)

The Wildlife and Biodiversity working group focuses on the native wildlife of the Parish, through both habitat management and biodiversity monitoring. The Transport & Mobility working group supports the reduction of local reliance on cars and encourages Active Travel. The Waste Reduction and Recycling group has produced recycling guidelines for the Parish.

5-20
Volunteers
Informal Network
Project Cost
Sustainable Dittisham (SusDit)

Sustainable Dittisham (SusDit)

Habitat Review in progress, which has mapped the land owned or managed by the Parish Council, made suggestions for changes to the maintenance schedule and made suggestions for habitat enhancements. This will not only enhance the biodiversity of the area, but should also represent a year-on-year saving to maintenance costs. SusDit are members of DCEN - Devon Community Energy Network

20-100
Volunteers
Parish Council working group
Project Cost
Kingsbridge Climate Action

Kingsbridge Climate Action

EV charging points, roof top solar, carbon off setting, community art, tree planting, promoting green businesses.

20-100
Volunteers
Parish Council working group
Project Cost

Projects

Encourage Wellbeing Through Engagement with Nature

Encourage Wellbeing Through Engagement with Nature

Sturtlebury Woods and Ponds have been developed to bring people closer to nature

5-20
Volunteers
£5k - £50k
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
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